Themal and mechanical properties of mullitic substrates for low-cost solar cells obtained by dry-pressing

• Published in: Journal of materials science Vol. 18; no. 4; pp. 1005 - 1014
• Main Authors: Celloti, G, Morettini, L, Ortelli, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.1983
• ISSN: 0022-2461

A study has been made of the possibility of producing ceramic substrates for low cost solar cells by means of the simple technology of moulding by dry-pressing. Special attention was taken to avoid costly materials (organic and inorganic) to the basic commercial kaolin. It emerged that the only treatment necessary was the precalcination of approximately half the powder at temperatures of 1200 to 1350 degree C. The various characterization techniques showed that, in spite of the simplicity of the technologies utilized, after a final firing at 1600 degree C, one can obtain finished products with the same thermal expansion coefficient as silicon and with the same thermal expansion coefficient as silicon and with mechanical characteristics that make the products perfectly suitable for resistance to the thermal shock, resulting from contact with molten silicon. Even if this methodology has been applied on a laboratory scale, it is quite easy to automate it for industrial scale production.