The EF160 Bio PV flux is the latest member of Stannol's sustainable greenconnect product family. Specially developed for use in the photovoltaic module industry, the No-Clean flux meets all industry requirements. The special feature: By using renewable raw materials, a better eco-balance is achieved than with conventional fluxes – while maintaining the same high product quality.

Bio-ethanol instead of IPA

"We are pleased to be able to further expand our environmentally friendly greenconnect series with EF160 Bio PV. In the new flux, the common solvent isopropanol is replaced by bio-ethanol. This results in a significantly better CO₂ balance," emphasises Thomas Kolossa, Sales Manager at Stannol. Isopropanol (IPA) has its origins in the petrochemical industry and is obtained from the byproduct propene. Bio-ethanol, on the other hand, consists of renewable raw materials and can be produced completely without fossil fuels via a fermentation process.

Low solids content, very good solderability

EF160 Bio PV is halogen- and resin-free as well as low in solids, making it particularly suitable for solar module production. The innovative flux also ensures very good solderability in module assembly processes for soldering by IR and convection. It can be applied and soldered by hand to the ribbon as well as in tabber/stringer soldering systems using spray fluxers. The precisely formulated activator system leaves no visible residue after soldering – cells are dry and cosmetically clean after the soldering process.

EF160 Bio PV offers a wide thermal process window, making it suitable for lead-free and leaded soldering processes. It exhibits high peel forces that keep solder joints stable over the long term. The flux can be applied by spray or dip processes. It is suitable for both automated spray and stringer applications and can also be used for hand soldering.

The flux residues of EF160 Bio PV after soldering are non-conductive and non-corrosive. The flux is classified as No-Clean, and the residue can usually remain on the surface after soldering.

Product Features

The product offers the following advantages:

• 70 percent CO₂ savings
• 95 percent bio-based content (according to DIN EN 16785-2)
• No-Clean
• low residue – minimal contamination of the system, low maintenance
• low solids content
• excellent peel force resistivity
• very good wettability
• suitable for immersion and spray application processes

Classification:

• classified as ORL0 according to J-STD-004
• RoHS compliant

About Stannol GmbH & Co KG

Stannol looks back on a long tradition in solder manufacturing: for over 140 years, the company has been combining experience and progress in its products. To this day, Stannol is considered a pioneer of modern soldering technology and is firmly established as a brand on the market. The company specialises in the manufacture of solder wires, solder pastes, fluxes, and solder bars. The product range also includes measuring and testing equipment, conformal coatings and other accessories. In addition to its high quality standards, Stannol is committed to sustainable and ecological manufacturing: Under the name greenconnect, the company offers a complete product range that focuses on sustainability and fairness.