Swagelok Introduces Process Specification for Photovoltaics
New specification aimed at protecting quality, containing cost
SOLON, Ohio (September 25, 2009)--Swagelok Company unveiled a new process specification designed to meet the needs of the photovoltaic (PV) market today, aimed at helping ensure quality and reduce cost of ownership for the growing industry. The Swagelok Photovoltaic Process Specification (SC-06) outlines testing, cleaning, and packaging steps for stainless steel components for use in PV applications. The specification illustrates the company's continued leadership in process-specific cleaning, which began in the 1980s with ultrahigh-purity components.
"The photovoltaic industry presents unique challenges for solar cell manufacturers, who have to balance the need for ultrahigh-purity processing with the cost containment that will help them achieve grid parity," said John Baxter, manager, products and technology, Swagelok Company. "The SC-06 specification defines a set of baseline requirements so that products can be processed at a level appropriate for the industry and its goals."
The baseline requirements include specifying the high-quality surface finish, visual inspection criteria and particle counts the PV industry needs to maintain reliability and process control for improved uptime, while identifying areas (such as work area classification, analytics, and packaging) where costs can be contained.
Swagelok® products are designed to provide reliable, leak-tight performance in critical PV manufacturing processes, such as Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) and diffusion. These and other processes require low leak rates for safety, control of process gas purity, as well as precise delivery of gases to maintain cell integrity and reduce scrap.
The Swagelok Photovoltaic Process Specification (SC-06) is an available option for many Swagelok high-purity products, in place of the company's other specifications: SC-01 (Ultrahigh-purity Process), SC-10 (Standard Cleaning and Packaging), and SC-11 (Special Cleaning and Packaging).
The products currently available with SC-06 processing include DP and DPH springless diaphragm valves, HB and BN series bellows valves, CW series check valves, VCR® metal gasket face seal fittings, and Micro-Fit® miniature tube butt weld fittings. To download the SC-06 specification, please visit www.swagelok.com/solar.
Headquartered in Solon, Ohio, U.S.A., Swagelok Company is a major developer and provider of fluid system solutions, including products, assemblies, and services for the research, instrumentation, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, power, petrochemical, alternative fuels, and semiconductor industries. Its manufacturing, research, technical support, and distribution facilities support a global network of more than 200 authorized sales and service centers in 57 countries. For more information about Swagelok, visit the company's Web site at www.swagelok.com.
Theresa Polachek
Swagelok Company
440/649-5629
Theresa.Polachek@swagelok.com
Scott Hunsberger
Marcus Thomas LLC
216/292-4700
shunsberger@marcusthomasllc.com
