Morgan Technical Ceramics to manufacture fused silica rollers for solar applications at US facility

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MTC434
Issue Date: 3 August 2009

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Following the third straight year of record growth for the US solar industry¹ Morgan Technical Ceramics (MTC) is to offer its fused silica rollers for use in solar energy applications from its manufacturing site in Fairfield, New Jersey, USA. Traditionally used for handling sheet glass for automobiles, appliances and architectural applications, fused silica rollers are now being used in the manufacturing of solar cells. Their outstanding mechanical properties and special surface quality make them ideal for use in both diffusion and thin film processing of solar panels, and MTC - which already supplies the rollers through its European and Asian sites - has seen demand increase significantly over the last 12 months.

The fused silica rollers move hot glass panels through the deposition process used in manufacturing thin film photovoltaic (TFPV) cells. The thermal stability of silica is exceptional; it has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of <1 x 10-6/°C - lower than any other ceramic material. This low CTE combined with its chemical compatibility with glass ensures the glass panels remain flat during the manufacturing process. The rollers are also used to move silicon wafers through the acid doping process where corrosive acid and high temperatures are required. The thin silicon wafers maintain their shape due to the low coefficient of thermal expansion and chemical resistance of the fused silica rollers.

Use of the fused silica rollers in the TFPV and diffusion manufacturing process is an important innovation that makes the goal of using solar energy to generate more of the world's electricity more attainable.

The rollers are available in a wide variety of standard dimensions, with outer diameters ranging from 15 to 110 millimeters (mm), and in lengths ranging from 305 to 4100 mm. Custom designs and dimensions are also offered.

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¹ Source: Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-BusinessofGreen/idUSTRE52J5VW20090320)

For further information contact - Freshwater Technology