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DOE OSTI · 3005455

Polymers used in 4 mm PV Connectors [Slides]

DiGregorio, Steven John [Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)] (ORCID:0000000209454602)·Burnham, Laurie [Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)]·King, Bruce Hardison [Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)] (ORCID:0000000257326226)·Coker, Alexander Karl [Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)]·Sowers, Carmen Taylor [Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)]
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Abstract

Polymer cracks are not a new problem in the PV industry. However, the suddenness and severity of the cracking connector model is new and concerning. Some sites are experiencing wide-spread cracking of a specific connector model. The preliminary investigation results are (1) there are potential clearance issues with the O-ring, leading to high mechanical stress; (2) potential use of lubrication yields polymer embrittlement; and (3) clear mechanical or chemical differences between the affected model and other PPE-based models using FTIR and tensile testing could not be demonstrated.

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36 MATERIALS SCIENCE

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DiGregorio, Steven John [Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)] (ORCID:0000000209454602), Burnham, Laurie [Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)], King, Bruce Hardison [Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)] (ORCID:0000000257326226), Coker, Alexander Karl [Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)], Sowers, Carmen Taylor [Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)]. 2025-11-01. Polymers used in 4 mm PV Connectors [Slides]. https://doi.org/10.2172/3005455

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36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗