Boron nitride in solar technology
Whether during the crystallization of silicon, the sintering of contact layers, or PVD coating:
Any reaction between the material and the process environment can significantly impair the yield and quality of solar cells. A major challenge for the industry, solved by Henze BNP’s hexagonal boron nitride products!
Boron nitride is one of the most versatile materials in solar technology.
Its excellent temperature resistance, low wettability with respect to metals and silicon, and its electrical insulating properties make it an indispensable material in key process steps of solar cell manufacturing.
Typical applications:
- Silicon crystallization (Czochralski or pulling method)
- Sintering processes and diffusion steps
- PVD and CVD coatings in solar cell production
- Additives and release agents
Our Boron Nitride Recommendations
HeBoCoat ® PL-W 300
HeBoCoat® PL-W 300* is a water-based boron nitride coating with a solids content of 30 per cent. The boron nitride used is of high purity, has good crystallinity and a high degree of fineness, ensuring optimum surface coverage. An organic binder ensures good adhesion and good workability. Special additives improve wetting of the substrate surface and prevent rapid settling.
Typical areas of application
- Release agents for graphite in siliconisation processes
- Protection against carburisation in sintering and pressure sintering applications
- Release agents in coating processes
Product Highlights
- good surface adhesion
- optimal release and lubrication properties
- The coating is ready for use
* HeBoCoat Power Line – Wasser-BN-Gehalt ⋅10
HeBoCoat ® EL-W 100
HeBoCoat® EL-W 100* is a ready-to-use, water-based boron nitride suspension. Owing to its high temperature resistance, it is specifically designed for use as a release and lubricating coating in forming processes. It prevents the metal component from sticking to the tool, thereby facilitating the removal of complex components from the mould.
Typical areas of application
- as a high-temperature separating layer in hot forming
Product Highlights
- This inorganic binder system combines good substrate adhesion with excellent release properties
- Adhesion to various surfaces
- extends the service life of machinery and tools
- temperature-resistant in air up to 900°C
- reduces the amount of cleaning required
- easy to work with
- economical consumption
* HeBoCoat Expert Line – Water BN-Content ⋅10
HeBoSint ® CL-N 200
Dripping solder can compromise the soldering result, as it tends to stick to soldering pads and fixtures during dip or vacuum soldering. A soldering pad made of HeBoSint® provides a solution to this problem.
Product Highlights at a Glance
- Excellent resistance to thermal cycling
- Excellent electrical insulation
- good release properties
- No wetting by most molten metals
- easy to clean
HeBoSint ® PL 100
Ideal for high-temperature furnace construction, HeBoSint® withstands the extreme conditions encountered there thanks to its excellent thermal shock resistance and insulating properties.
Product highlights at a glance:
- excellent resistance to thermal cycling
- Excellent electrical insulation
- Ideal for use in vacuum or inert gas environments
Key benefits at a glance:
- Higher productivity through clean, reaction-free processes
- Longer service life of furnace and process components
- Improved coating quality and energy efficiency
- Reduced maintenance and cleaning requirements
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is boron nitride needed in the manufacture of solar modules?
Heating elements made of graphite or copper are used in the production of silicon wafers, which form the core of modern solar modules. These sensitive components are exposed to extreme thermal loads during the production process and must be protected by reliable electrically insulating ceramics. Boron nitride is the ideal material for this, as it has precisely these protective properties.
Which Henze BNP products are used in the photovoltaic sector?
For demanding insulation applications in solar and semiconductor technology, we manufacture precision components from our sintered HeBoSint® materials. These serve as essential protective components and insulators for sensitive heating elements, thereby ensuring a safe and trouble-free manufacturing process.
What properties make HeBoSint® the best solution for wafer production?
Photovoltaics require excellent thermal management combined with outstanding electrical insulation. HeBoSint® components combine precisely these seemingly contradictory properties: they provide excellent electrical insulation and withstand the enormous temperatures during silicon wafer production over the long term, making them often the best and safest solution for this application.