NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy 

Efficiency & Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308

Examination of a Size-Change 

Test for Photovoltaic 

Encapsulation Materials

Preprint

David C. Miller and John H. Wohlgemuth

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Xiaohong Gu

National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST)

Liang Ji

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL)

George Kelly

BP Solar USA 

Nichole Nickel

The Dow Chemical Company

Paul Norum

SolarWorld Industries America

Tsuyoshi Shioda

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

Govindasamy Tamizhmani

TÜV Rheinland PTL

Presented at SPIE Optics + Photonics 2012

San Diego, California

August 12–16, 2012

Conference Paper

NREL/CP-5200-54186

August 2012
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1 

ABSTRACT

We examine a proposed test standard that can be used to evaluate the maximum representative change in linear 

dimensions of sheet encapsulation products for photovoltaic modules (resulting from their thermal processing). The 

proposed protocol is part of a series of material-level tests being developed within Working Group 2 of the 

Technical Committee 82 of the International Electrotechnical Commission. The characterization tests are being 

developed to aid module design (by identifying the essential characteristics that should be communicated on a 

datasheet), quality control (via internal material acceptance and process control), and failure analysis. Discovery and 

interlaboratory experiments were used to select particular parameters for the size-change test. The choice of a sand 

substrate and aluminum carrier is explored relative to other options. The temperature uniformity of ±5°C for the 

substrate was confirmed using thermography. Considerations related to the heating device (hot-plate or oven) are 

explored. The time duration of 5 minutes was identified from the time-series photographic characterization of 

material specimens (EVA, ionomer, PVB, TPO, and TPU). The test procedure was revised to account for observed 

effects of size and edges. The interlaboratory study identified typical size-change characteristics, and also verified 

the absolute reproducibility of ±5% between laboratories.

Keywords: material characteristics, quality assurance, shrinkage, polymer

1. INTRODUCTION

The polymeric materials used for encapsulation within flat-panel photovoltaic (PV) modules typically possess a 

built-in stress that is later released when the film is heated during the thermal processing (e.g., lamination) used in 

module manufacturing. Stress-induced size-change for the encapsulation could displace the cells (for crystalline 

silicon [c-Si] modules), cell interconnects (i.e., “ribbons,” for c-Si modules), and bus bars (for c-Si and thin-film 

[TF] modules). The possible immediate consequences of size change could therefore include: broken solder joints 

(electrical opens for c-Si), spurious electrical contacts (electrical shunts for c-Si, including cell-to-cell connections 

and ground faults), cracked cells (for c-Si), residual stress and subsequent delamination (for all PV), and void 

formation within the encapsulation (for all PV). The long-term effects of encapsulation size-change on PV module 

performance and reliability are unknown. The short-term effects are expected to exacerbate with the added influence 

of field deployment.

The goal of this group within the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Technical Committee 82 (TC82) 

on PV Working Group 2 (WG2) on modules was to create a material-level test standard to assess the change in 

linear dimensions of sheet encapsulation products. The purpose of the standard is to aid material manufacturers and 

module manufacturers in performing material acceptance, process development, design analysis, and failure 

analysis. No “pass” or “fail” criteria are assigned for the proposed test procedure; rather, it is intended to be used for 

quality control or datasheet reporting.

Certain key considerations were identified during the development of the standard. First, a method was sought that 

imparted a minimal friction during the test. This requirement contributes to the standardization of the test. For 

example, friction between a glass/polymer interface may not be repeatable (based on the choice of materials, their 

surface preparation, and the influence of the ambient environment). The surface energy of glass can vary 

significantly in the manufacturing and testing environments based on ambient moisture, contamination, and its 

chemical integrity (corrosion). The composition of the glass itself may also be difficult to control, because the same 

glass product, produced by the same manufacturer, can acquire residual compositional content from intermediate 

batches of different glass products. Separately, size change occurring when friction is present is difficult to interpret. 

The interpretation of the size change for a glass substrate could be compounded by its surface energy, surface 

chemistry, and surface roughness. Consider also that the interpretation (which may include stress/strain varying 

through the thickness of the encapsulation) would be difficult to verify through other methods. So, based on the 

considerations of repeatability and interpretation, a procedure was sought that introduces the least uncertainty in

characterizing the maximum representative change in linear dimensions.

Several lesser characteristics were desired for the method, including that it be fast, simple, compact, safe, and makes 

use of standard laboratory (or other commonplace) equipment. Many of these traits would make the method readily 

amenable to quality control in a manufacturing environment.
2 

Existing tests examining size change in polymeric sheet materials include: ISO 11501 [1], ASTM D1204 [2], and 

ASTM D2732 [3]. ISO 11501 describes the determination of the dimensional change before and after baking in a 

kaolin bed located within an oven. Aspects of ISO 11501 that could not be agreed upon within WG2 include: 1) the 

use of a kaolin substrate, i.e., unstandardized material, and 2) the specified test chamber size, i.e., 120 mm x 120 

mm, which could prohibit the simultaneous examination of multiple samples. ASTM D1204 describes the 

determination of the dimensional change before and after baking within an oven between heavy paper sheets (dusted 

with talc powder). Concerns related to ASTM D1204 identified within WG2 include the possible adhesion to the 

paper (which may not be adequately prevented by a thin layer of talc for specimen materials with intended adhesive 

characteristics), as well as the heat transfer to the specimens (where the paper may affect the heat flux, providing a 

time-temperature history different from that in a PV laminator). ASTM D2732 describes the determination of the 

dimensional change before and after submersion in a heated liquid bath, i.e., ethylene glycol, glycerine, or water. 

Issues related to ASTM D2732 include the: a) test temperature, b) required cross-linking for thermoplastic materials, 

c) melting of thermoplastic materials, and d) subsequent handling of the specimens.

(a) The method must characterize non-traditional encapsulation materials at their intended processing 

temperature (e.g., some may be processed at the temperature of 165°C) in addition to ethylene-co-vinyl 

acetate (EVA, which may be laminated at ≥132°C). In comparison, the boiling points of ethylene glycol, 

glycerine, and water are 197°, 290°, and 100°C, respectively. Although ethylene glycol and glycerine may 

be used to examine contemporary encapsulation products, water is limited by its boiling point and therefore 

would not be capable of providing the required temperatures. The density of ethylene glycol and glycerine 

are 1.11 and 1.26 g·cm-3, meaning that many polymers would float at the top of the bath. Water (even at 

80°C) may induce size change in EVA (which melts at ~65°C [5]); however, the size change associated 

with the melt transition may not be complete, depending on the time-temperature history of the submerged 

specimen.

(b) Water is not expected to invoke cross-linking (with subsequent strain), which occurs above 120°C. Because 

both thermal processing and chemical cross-linking may produce measurable size change for EVA, the test 

procedure is expected to examine the effects of both. 

(c) Although the formulated EVA used in PV modules will cross-link to a final (fixed) size, many other

encapsulation products are thermoplastics not subject to fixed final dimensions. That is, the thermoplastic 

materials would be examined in their molten state. 

(d) Submersion characterization is complicated by the unloading of the specimen from the liquid bath. The 

handling of the specimen (typically achieved using a wire-mesh basket) to extract and cool the specimen

may introduce additional shape change. Handling could be aided by injecting cool liquid into the bath to 

reduce its temperature prior to specimen removal. Unintended size change from handling would be difficult 

to avoid, particularly for molten thermoplastic materials.

The method developed within WG2 is based on a procedure used internally at BP Solar. The specific task group for 

the standard was formed in the autumn of 2010. Discovery experiments supporting the initial draft of the standard 

were conducted in the spring and summer of 2011. An interlaboratory study was performed in the summer and 

autumn of 2011. A test procedure was then submitted to the IEC as a new proposal (NP) in the autumn of 2011. A 

revised method is expected to be submitted to the IEC in the autumn of 2012 or spring of 2013. 

The goal of the described experiments was to support the development of a standardized test procedure that can be 

used to evaluate the maximum representative change in linear dimensions of sheet encapsulation products (resulting 

from their thermal processing, occurring during the manufacture of a PV module). Discovery experiments were used 

to examine issues, including the choice of “substrate,” uniformity of temperature, specimen size-effect, and 

specimen edge-effects. An interlaboratory study was conducted to assess the reproducibility of measurement 

between different laboratories. The combined experiments were also intended to identify potential issues. The 

results of the discovery and interlaboratory study were used to better define and improve the test procedure.
3 

2. EXPERIMENTAL*

2.1 Specimens

Specimens examined in this study include sheet products composed of: EVA, poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid 

metal salt) (“ionomer”), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), and thermoplastic polyurethane 

(TPU). To date, EVA certainly has the most substantial legacy of use in PV modules. A peroxide is typically added 

to the PV EVA formulations to cross-link the material during module lamination; peroxide-containing commercial 

formulations were examined during the development of this test standard. For the purpose of the study, the 

specimens were used as received from their manufacturer and were not subject to pre-conditioning (other than as 

prescribed for storage). Specimens were cut to the size of 100 mm x 100 mm (using scissors or a blade) for the test. 

After cutting, the specimens were marked with a marker to show the machine-extrusion direction (MD), along the 

length of the roll, and transverse direction (TD), across the width of the roll. The test procedure [6] specifies that a 

minimum of six replicates be examined. The procedure also provides guidance for its application in industry, e.g., 

the preferred location for sampling from a roll of material.

2.2 Test procedure

The initial size (in at least five locations per direction) and thickness (in at least three locations) must first be 

measured (e.g., using a ruler or micrometer, respectively) for the specimens. An accuracy of 0.5 mm is required for 

the size measurements and an accuracy of 0.01 mm is required for the thickness measurements. Next, a sheet of 

aluminum foil is placed on a heated platen (a circulating oven is presently identified for the test, instead of a heated 

platen). A layer of sand (about 2–4 mm thick) is then placed on the aluminum foil. (The choice of sand was not 

specified at the time of the discovery experiments.) The procedure then calls for the platen to be equilibrated to the 

encapsulation manufacturer-designated processing temperature. A specimen is then placed on the equilibrated sand 

substrate. After the designated duration (300 s), the Al foil is removed from the platen and allowed to equilibrate to 

ambient temperature. The final size is then measured for each of the directions. The size change, ∆L, is determined 

from Equation 1 in units of percent, where L represents the size {m} and the subscripts –i and –f refer to the initial 

and final conditions, respectively. From the six different samples, the maximum size change (the maximum of the 

30 measurements) and corresponding difference (the maximum of the 30 measurements minus the minimum of the 

30 measurements) are reported for each direction. The average size change and corresponding standard deviation (of 

the 30 measurements) are also reported for each direction. 

i

if

L

LL L − 100⋅=∆ (1) 

2.3 Additional characterization

The size change was characterized as a function of time for the different encapsulation materials. Here, each 

specimen was photographed (every 20 s) using a tripod-mounted camera (40D, Canon Inc.). The change in size 

could be determined from a ruler, located adjacent to the specimen. Measurements were obtained from the middle 

and near the corners of each specimen, i.e., three measurements in both the machine and transverse directions. The 

accuracy of the measurements was on the order of 1 mm, i.e., ±1%.

Temperature characterization of the substrate and specimens was performed using infrared thermography. For 

example, a ThermaCAM SC640 camera (FLIR Systems Inc., which operates at wavelengths from 7.5 to 13 μm) is 

capable of resolving temperature within 0.06°C. A Ti32 (Fluke Corp.) was also used in the experiments. Sand is a 

high-emissivity material, readily enabling thermography. Although the emissivity of sand may exceed 0.9 

(particularly when wet) [7], the value of 0.90 was used in the approximate measurements (with an accuracy on the 

order of 2°C). 

Additional characterizations were performed to assess size and edge effects. The appropriateness of the specimen 

size and measurement locations was examined by performing measurements at the edges and interior. The interior 

measurements were assessed at 40, 60, and 80 mm (in addition to 100 mm). The measurements were performed on a 

site indicated (using a marker) on each specimen prior to the test.

 

*  Instruments and materials are identified in this paper to describe the experiments. In no case does such 

identification imply recommendation or endorsement by NREL or NIST.
4 

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Substrate temperature and its uniformity

The substrate originally proposed for use in the test method was glass, covered with a 2–4-mm-thick layer of talc 

powder to prevent friction at the glass/encapsulation interface. A glass/talc substrate was originally used at BP Solar. 

In discovery experiments, the temperature uniformity of a glass substrate was examined using thermography. Glass 

may be readily characterized using thermography (here, using the emissivity of 0.95 [8]) because of its high 

emissivity at the wavelengths examined. Low-iron, soda-lime float-glass substrates (as used in PV modules, 125 mm 

x 125 mm in size) demonstrated poor temperature uniformity (>20°C). Temperature heterogeneity was understood 

to result from curvature of the glass (glass is seldom perfectly flat), which can be further accentuated by temperature

(the concavity of glass typically increases with temperature). 

The substrate was then selected to consist of an aluminum foil base layer (which acts as a heat spreader to improve 

temperature uniformity), topped with a layer of sand (where the sand reduces friction at the aluminum/encapsulation 

interface and also weights the aluminum to improve its thermal contact to the heated platen). Figure 1 shows

corresponding (a) optical and (b) thermographic images of the apparatus (sand/Al foil/platen). A PC-620 heated 

platen (Corning Inc.) with a 25 cm x 25 cm stage is used in Figure 1. The set temperature for the platen was 132°C. 

The measured surface temperature is indicated in Figure 1(b) for a uniform array of locations. The average surface 

temperature for a 10 cm x 10 cm region within the center of the sand was 125±3°C (one standard deviation [s.d.]); 

the maximum and minimum surface temperatures within the same test region were 133° and 113°C, respectively. 

Some irregularity in the temperature of the sand likely results from thickness variation in the figure (where partially 

exposed aluminum would readily compromise thermography). An aluminum foil is difficult to accurately 

characterize because of its low (<0.1) emissivity [8]. A 4°–8°C temperature range was typically observed for wellmanicured sand. Localized variation could be observed, for example, if the sand was irregularly graded with a 

straight edge.

Figure 1: Corresponding (a) optical and (b) thermographic images of the apparatus (platen/Al foil/sand). The measured 

surface temperature is indicated for a uniform array of locations in (b).

The thermography characterization was performed to quantify the temperature variation across an Al foil/sand 

substrate. The characterization importantly identifies a difference between the set temperature for the platen and the 

surface temperature of the sand. A 5°C range is anticipated for a skilled operator. This, however, does not take into 

account a temperature gradient that may exist between the heated platen (controlled to a specified temperature) and 

the top surface of the sand (which is cooled by the ambient environment).

3.2 Choice of substrate carrier

As shown in Figure 2, a follow-up experiment was conducted to compare the use of different carriers for the sand 

“substrate.” Aluminum foil, kraft paper (the release liner paper often used in rolls of EVA), and a stainless-steel 

plate (SS plate) were alternately placed on top of the same heated platen and then covered with sand. At least 20 

replicates of the different EVA1 (“unbalanced”) and EVA2 (“balanced”) formulations were examined using the test 

method. Error bars (2 s.d.) are shown in Figure 2. The results for the unbalanced EVA were similar between the 

different carriers, i.e., ~17% size reduction for the MD and ~3% size reduction for the TD. The results for EVA2

were also similar between the different carriers, i.e., ~6% size reduction for the MD and TD. EVA2 had been 

(a) (b)
5 

specifically engineered by its manufacturer to reduce and balance the size change occurring during lamination. The 

size change is consistently less for the SS plate, but not outside the range of variation for the experiment. 

Figure 2: Comparison of carrier/sand substrates for the EVA1 (unbalanced) and EVA2 (balanced) formulations. Results are 

indicated for the machine-extrusion direction (MD) and transverse direction (TD). The error bars are shown for two standard 

deviations.

The results for Al foil, kraft paper, and the SS plate are comparable and suggest no overt difference. This implies

that the size-change behavior is accommodated by the sand substrate itself, and not the carrier. The lesser sizechange for the SS (if applicable) may result from the thermal capacitance, lesser thermal conductivity, and thermal 

resistance of the plate of finite thickness. Because the results were similar for the different substrate carriers, Al foil 

was chosen because of the greater thermal conductivity and malleability of Al (both characteristics are expected to 

minimize the thermal contact resistance at the surfaces of the carrier, thereby improving the temperature uniformity 

of the sand).

3.3 Confirming the appropriate test duration

Size change with time is shown in Figure 3, Figure 4, and Figure 5 for EVA1 (the unbalanced EVA formulation), 

EVA2 (balanced), and TPO, respectively. Error bars are shown in the figures for the maximum and minimum of the 

three measurements (obtained along the edge at the corner, middle, and corner) from each of the individual 

specimens. The “corner” measurements were made along the edge, about 5 mm from the true corners of the 

specimens. The relative size and corresponding sample directions are shown in the insets of the figures, before 

(dashed) and after (solid) the test. The dashed and solid profiles are approximately to scale based on photographs of 

the specimen, but do not convey the details including curvature or irregularity at the edges. The results at 600 s are 

summarized in Table 1 for Figure 3, Figure 4, and Figure 5, as well as some materials that are not shown (PVB, 

TPU, and an ionomer). Except for EVA2, the MD demonstrated the greatest size change. Several of the materials 

(the PVB, TPO, TPU, and ionomer thermoplastics) changed size by shrinking in the MD, but expanding in the TD. 

The majority of the size change occurred within the first 200 s of all of the experiments summarized in Table 1. As 

in Figure 3, Figure 4, and Figure 5, some minor size change continued to occur for all of the specimens at 600 s. 
6 

Figure 3: Size-change results for “EVA1,” the unbalanced EVA formulation. The relative size and corresponding sample 

directions are shown in the inset before (dashed) and after (solid) the test, based on photographs of the specimen. Error bars are 

shown for the maximum and minimum of the measurements, obtained along the edge of the specimen at the corner, middle, and 

corner. 

Figure 4: Size-change results for “EVA2,” the balanced EVA formulation. The relative size and corresponding sample directions 

are shown in the inset before (dashed) and after (solid) the test, based on photographs of the specimen.
7 

Figure 5: Size-change results for TPO. The same range and scale for ∆L is shown in Figure 3, Figure 4, and Figure 5. The 

relative size and corresponding sample directions are shown in the inset before (dashed) and after (solid), based on photographs 

of the specimen.

Table 1: Summary of results for the time characterization experiments, including Figure 3, Figure 4, and Figure 5.

 MATERIAL

GREATEST SIZE-CHANGE {%} EVA1 EVA2 PVB TPO TPU Ionomer

MD -23 -9 -31 -55 -38 -35

TD -4 -8 +12 +9 +12 +9

Figure 3, Figure 4, and Figure 5 confirm that much of the size change for the various encapsulation materials occurs 

within 5 minutes. The rapid size change is true for both thermosets (i.e., EVA) and thermoplastics (ionomer, PVB, 

TPO, and TPU). A small amount of size change continues even at 10 minutes. This may correspond to continued 

cross-linking (for EVA), specimen/substrate interaction, gravitational effect, or thermal equilibration. In principle, 

the thermoplastics should be free to flow within their melt state, identified in Ref. [5]. 

Figure 3, Figure 4, and Figure 5 serve as examples of the range of behavior that might be expected in contemporary

encapsulation products. This includes a balanced size change (for EVA2, where a 10% shrinking is typical), or a 

more substantial and unbalanced size change (for TPO, where the maximum of 55% shrinking was observed in this 

study). To clarify, some materials (including ionomer, PVB, TPO, and TPU in this experiment) shrink in one 

direction and expand in the other. The greater shrinking observed in the machine direction is expected, based on the 

process (extrusion) typically used to manufacture the materials. The implications for the stress in a module resulting 

from the observed size change are unclear, but might be understood using finite element analysis. To explain, a 

threshold size-change for problematic behavior (e.g., interconnect damage in c-Si modules) may exist. Further, the 

size-change associated with processing the encapsulation must be taken into account by the manufacturer, e.g., when

sizing the amount of encapsulation and strain relief to use in modules. Several of the products examined here were 

probably not optimized to reduce size-change, as vendors were likely unaware of the issue. It is expected that the 

substantial and unbalanced size-change could be reduced for these products using processing methods, e.g., 

annealing.

3.4 Specimen size-effect

Measurements were obtained from the specimen interior to help assess a specimen size-effect, and therefore, the 

appropriateness of the size specified in the standard. The results of the size-specific measurements are shown in 

Figure 6 for EVA1 (the unbalanced formulation). Error bars (2 s.d.) are shown in Figure 6 for the five specimens 

examined. The left inset of Figure 6 includes a photograph of one of the EVA1 specimens, and the right inset shows 
8 

the measurement location and naming scheme for the specimens. For example, the measurement from locations a to 

a’ occurs across the machine direction (nominally 100 mm), at the edge of the specimen. As another example, the 

measurement from locations I to I’ occurs within the transverse direction (nominally 40 mm), near the middle of the 

specimen. In Figure 6, a monotonic trend is observed for EVA1 in the MD. The shrinking increases with the size of 

the sample region for EVA1, as observed for the ionomer, PVB, and TPO in both the MD and TD (not shown). In 

contrast, the size change varies significantly with the measurement location for EVA1 in the TD, Figure 6. Here, the 

shrinking is greatest at the edge of the specimen. A similar behavior was observed for EVA2 (in both the MD and 

TD), but was not observed of the other encapsulations.

Figure 6: Size-specific results for “EVA1” (unbalanced). A photograph of one of the specimens is also shown (inset, left); the 

measurement location and naming scheme is shown for the same specimen orientation (inset, right).

Figure 6 importantly identifies a modest size effect that occurs for all of the encapsulation materials examined. A 

linear fit could be applied for EVA1 in the MD, with perhaps a better fit for the ionomer, PVB, and TPO (both 

directions, not shown). The size effect itself is not overly concerning, because the size of the specimens is 

standardized in the proposed test procedure. The size of 100 mm is chosen for the standard based on practical 

convenience—as opposed to the entire width of the roll, which would be more difficult to handle, require larger test 

equipment, and may even more readily demonstrate size- and edge-related heterogeneity. The results in Figure 6

simply reaffirm the need to standardize the size of the specimens, thereby standardizing the nominal dimension of 

the measurement. The causes of the size effect could include: friction (from sand), stretching occurring when the 

specimens were cut to size, uneven and rapid cooling at the end of the test, and heterogeneous stress incurred during 

manufacturing. For friction to be a significant contributing factor would imply that the friction for the sand substrate 

is minimal, but not zero (as would ideally be the case).

3.5 Edge effect (location of measurements)

The measurement location scheme used to examine size effect, Figure 6 (inset, right), was also used to examine edge

effect. The specimen profiles for EVA1 (the unbalance formulation) are shown in Figure 7, with error bars (2 s.d.) 

for the five specimens examined. To clarify, the measurements were performed at locations along the edge of the 

specimens, specifically including their corners. The final shape for one of the EVA1 specimens is shown in Figure 6

(inset, left). In Figure 7, the least size change for the specimens is observed at the corners; the greatest size change 

occurs at the middle. A similar profile was observed for EVA1, EVA2, ionomer, and TPO, i.e., ∆LDD’ > ∆LAA’. The 

opposite profile was observed for PVB, where the corners changed size more than the middle, i.e., ∆LAA’ > ∆LDD’. 

Although only the profiles for EVA1 are shown, a minor effect (∆L on the order of a few percent) is evident in all 

the materials. 
9 

Figure 7: Location-specific results showing the profile at the edges of “EVA1” (unbalanced). The details of the measurement 

locations are identified in Figure 6 (inset, right).

The characterization summarized in Figure 7 confirms that a minor edge effect is present for all of the materials 

examined. The observed size and edge effects suggest the need to standardize the measurement by specifying the 

number and the location of the measurement sites. For example, an odd number of measurements can be used to 

examine the corners and middle of the specimen. The size change at the tips of the corners, however, is not 

considered representative of the bulk material. The revised standard therefore specifies to obtain measurements at 

least 1 cm away from the corners (implying an approximate spacing of 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, and 1 cm along the edge of the 

specimen). Because the specimens may distort as a result of the test, measurements ambiguity is minimized by 

marking the measurement locations with a felt-tipped marker, for use before and after the test.

A similar edge effect may exist within the roll of encapsulation from which the specimens are obtained, based on the 

manufacturing process used to produce the material. Because an edge effect may exist within the encapsulation roll, 

the sampling (location) from within the roll should be specified. Therefore, the test procedure will specify to obtain 

specimens at a location away from the outside edges of the roll. Some users may wish to apply the test procedure for 

other purposes, such as verifying the homogeneity of the material across the width of the roll of encapsulation. In 

such cases, it makes sense to sample material from other locations within the roll.

3.6 Treatment of out-of-plane curvature

Because the proposed test procedure is intended to examine change in linear dimension, it does not treat out-ofplane deformation. For example, the shape of an early-generation ionomer product after a 5-minute test is shown in 

Figure 8(a). The original profile of the specimen is outlined (dashes) in the figure; arrows are used in the figure to 

identify the edges of the specimen after the test. A size change for the ionomer on the order of -50% in the MD and 

+15% in the TD was determined for the material. The curled final shape likely results from a significant throughthickness-oriented strain gradient present in the material before the test. With knowledge of the result in Figure 8(a), 

the size change (including the out-of-plane curvature) would likely be significantly improved through the 

engineering of the manufacturing process. Because the ionomer material is relatively rigid and it becomes frozen in 

place at the ambient temperature (Table 2), it is not practical to uncurl the specimens for measurement at the end of 

the test. For the manufacturer to quantify and therefore be able to reduce the size change of an encapsulation 

product, how can size change be examined for materials with a significant through-thickness strain gradient?
10 

Figure 8: Ionomer specimens: (a) photograph of the final shape for an uncovered specimen, (b) photograph of specimen covered 

with FEP and weighted with glass. The original profile of the specimen is outlined (dashes); the final shape is shown with a solid 

border. 

One solution method explored was to cover the ionomer with Teflon fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) resin

sheet, as shown in Figure 8(b). A piece of glass is used in Figure 8(b) to provide additional weight and maintain the 

planarity of the specimen. The original profile of the specimen is outlined (dashes). Figure 8(b) also shows a border 

(solid) that outlines the irregular final shape of the specimen. In Figure 8(b), the specimen is located on a sand 

substrate, whereas a substrate coated with talc powder was used in Figure 8(a). However, the weighted, low-friction 

cover material in Figure 8(b) was confirmed to affect the result, Table 2. Therefore, the size-change final profile of 

the specimen in Figure 8(b) is only approximate and will vary with the mass of the cover used. In situations like that 

shown in Figure 8(a), a minimal modification (least likely to affect the in-plane deformation) is preferred, e.g., just 

the Teflon cover in Figure 8(b) may prove sufficient to prevent out of plane deformation. The use of a low-friction 

cover is identified here as a possible method to examine materials with a known through-thickness strain gradient. 

An improved method that may be used to standardize the measurement of specimens prone to out-of-plane curvature 

would benefit the test procedure.

3.7 Results of interlaboratory study

An interlaboratory study was conducted at eight participating laboratories using (six) replicates of different test 

materials (EVA1, EVA2, PVB, TPO, and ionomer), where the replicates were all cut from the same roll of material. 

Each specimen was examined once because the test cannot be repeated. Even though the interlaboratory study was 

performed according to the procedure originally submitted to the IEC, certain limitations apply to the study. Some of 

the details of the experiment—such as the difference between the Tset for the heater device and the surface 

temperature of the sand—motivated revision of the standard after the results of the interlaboratory study were 

examined. Also, some participants used a heated platen, whereas others used an oven, for the two types of heater 

devices to be compared. NIST specifically used ASTM C778 sand [4]. 

The results of the interlaboratory study are summarized in Table 2. The data provided include the maximum size

change (of the 30 measurements in each direction for the six specimens examined), as well as the difference 

(maximum minus the minimum of the 30 measurements). As in Figure 3 and Figure 5, all of the participating 

laboratories identified a greater size change in the machine direction than in the transverse direction for EVA1, PVB, 

TPO, and the ionomer. As in Figure 4, the direction of greater size change was not readily distinguished for EVA2. 

The results were reproducible between participating laboratories—within ±5% of the absolute size change (based on 

the measured Li values), although varying by up to 40% of the relative size change (based on the ∆L results from 

Equation 1). The results for the ionomer proved even less reproducible between the laboratories. Here, the out-ofplane curvature and the corresponding methods (as in Figure 8[b]) used to characterize the specimens resulted in 

increased variability.

The set (Tset) and phase-transition temperatures are also identified in Table 2. As in Figure 1, Tset for the heater 

device may differ from the surface temperature of the sand. The phase-transition temperatures include the glass 

transition (Tg), melt transition (Tm), and freeze transition (Tf) temperatures. The phase transitions were determined 

using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC, Q1000, TA Instruments, Inc). The 2-Hz data were taken from the 

second of two consecutive cycles (from -100° ≤ T ≤ 200°C) at the rate of 100C/min in an N2 environment. Table 2
11 

identifies that most of the materials (except PVB) were examined in their melt state. The PVB is, however,

significantly softened at the test temperature used in the experiment [5]. 

Table 2: DSC measured phase-transition temperatures results and (size-change) data from the interlaboratory study. The greatest 

value and the corresponding difference (based on the maximum and minimum) are provided. 

MATERIAL

ATTRIBUTE EVA1 EVA2 PVB TPO Ionomer

Tset {°C} 132 132 160 140 165

Tg=Tα{°C} -33 -33 15 -44 26 

Tm {°C}/Tf {°C} 55/35 55/35 N/A 60/55 86/46

MAXIMUM SIZE-CHANGE PER DIRECTION, GREATEST (AND DIFFERENCE)

PARTICIPANT MD TD MD TD MD TD MD TD MD TD

BP Solar USA -23.6

(5.2) 

-1.4

(0.7) 

-8.9

(2.9) 

-6.1

(1.4) 

-41.2

(7.5) 

14.8

(2.7) 

-48.7

(1.9) 

7.7

(1.9) 

-56.2

(7.4) 

27.2

(8.3) 

Dow Chemical -28.0

(8.0)

-9.0

(6.0)

-12.0

(4.0)

-13.0

(5.0)

-42.7

(3.0)

14.6

(4.6)

-55.0

(2.2)

8.0

(2.0)

-65.7

(13.2)

29.5

(14.6)

Mitsui -29.0

(6.4) 

-7.5

(7.0) 

-13.0

(7.0) 

-10.5

(4.5) 

-33.7

(3.7) 

11.7

(0.3) 

-49.0

(3.5) 

7.5

(0.5) 

-51.2

(N/A)

17.1

(N/A)

NIST -32.2

(17.2)

-8.3

(8.7)

-12.9

(10.1)

-12.2

(7.2)

-43.6

(13.2)

16.7

(4.6)

-56.1

(3.2)

10.1

(4.8)

-36.4

(19.9)

17.1

(14.9)

NREL -25.5

(6.9) 

-8.2

(5.0) 

-11.0

(1.7) 

-10.0

(3.5) 

-40.0

(12.5) 

14.0

(1.7) 

-52.9

(3.3) 

13.7

(7.0) 

-50.4

(10.5) 

16.5

(5.3) 

SolarWorld -30.0

(8.0)

-10.0

(5.0)

-16.0

(8.0)

-14.0

(4.0)

-43.0

(21.0)

17.0

(8.0)

-54.0

(29.0)

7.0

(5.0)

-69.0

(27.0)

30.0

(17.0)

TÜV -30.1

(11.7) 

-5.7

(3.8) 

-10.0

(3.6) 

-8.1

(3.6) 

-44.4

(5.7) 

14.5

(2.1) 

-56.8

(2.0) 

8.0

(3.0) 

-87.2

(3.6) 

37.6

(8.1) 

UL -23.9

(9.1)

-8.1

(6.2)

-12.5

(6.5)

-12.8

(6.6)

-42.8

(17.2)

11.0

(3.0)

-58.3

(1.9)

8.9

(2.6)

-69.0

(14.6)

30.8

(21.2)

3.8 Choice of oven (or platen) 

The data in Table 2 were obtained using a hot plate (e.g., BP Solar, Mitsui) or oven (e.g., NIST, TUV). The 

experiments at NREL used a hot plate that was surrounded on the sides and top with glass plates (for PVB, TPO, 

and ionomer) to facilitate achieving Tset within the sand (verified using a thermocouple) and to reduce the 

temperature variability (by reducing convective heat transfer). No obvious trend is observed in Table 2 for the hotplate vs. oven-heated specimens. The use of a heated platen more closely emulates the application (where industrial 

lamination machines are heated on one side only). Figure 1 identifies an achievable temperature range (uniformity) 

of 5°C at the surface for a heated platen, which does not consider other factors, e.g., temperature gradients through 

the thickness of the sand. Controlled temperature within 5°C is therefore expected for an oven. The use of an oven 

(or similar heated enclosure) should reduce the variability of the data by limiting heat transfer between the 

specimen(s) and ambient environment. Arguments considered in favor of an oven include:

• For example, the use of an oven is expected to reduce the difference between the set temperature for the 

experiment and the surface temperature of the sand. This should also reduce the temperature variability shown in 

Figure 1(b) that can result from imperfectly raking the sand.

• The thermal capacitance (mass) of an oven should separately aid in maintaining a constant temperature, because

the chamber interior should have equilibrated prior to the test. An oven should therefore improve the repeatability 

of the results, which might only become evident on a much larger number of specimens.

• Circulation within the oven may be used to minimize the temperature recovery resulting from the opening and 

closing of the oven door, and should aid the transition time for the specimen to its set temperature. The good 

thermal contact (through the aluminum) between the heated oven and sand carrier should also improve recovery 

time. Commercial ovens typically use metal shelves (or a metal chamber). The high thermal conductivity or metal 

components (in addition to the Al foil carrier) should improve recovery time and temperature uniformity.

• The use of an oven may also improve the safety of the test standard, because the heating device consists of a 

sealable enclosure. The revised version of the standard will therefore specify to use a circulating oven for the test. 
12 

4. CONCLUSIONS

A proposed test standard that can be used to evaluate the maximum representative change in linear dimensions of 

sheet encapsulation products for PV modules (resulting from their thermal processing) was examined using 

discovery and interlaboratory experiments. Key results include the following:

The use of a sand substrate is advocated to reduce friction (enabling the maximum size change and thereby 

standardizing the test) and also because it may be used over a wide range of test temperatures. The use of a sand 

substrate on an aluminum carrier improved temperature uniformity, e.g., relative to a glass carrier. Thermographic

characterization suggests that a temperature range as small as 5°C is possible for sand. From the measurements, the 

use of a circulating oven was specified in the standard for practical reasons (removal of temperature gradient 

through the sand, elimination of radiative heat transfer, improved recovery time after loading, and safety) that are 

expected to result in temperature uniformity and temperature stability superior to that of a heated platen.

Many key details related to the test procedure were verified in discovery experiments. The test duration of 5 minutes 

was found to allow for the majority of size change to occur in a variety of encapsulation materials. Minor size-effect 

and edge-effect behaviors were observed for a variety of encapsulation materials. The details of the measurement 

locations and sampling of the specimens were revised in response to these effects. Five evenly spaced, marked 

measurement sites are used, with two of the sites being at least 1 cm away from the corners of the specimens. 

Similarly, specimens should be obtained from at least 200 mm from the edge of a roll. Although the use of a lowfriction cover was given as an example solution, it was still found to be difficult to standardize the measurement of 

specimens prone to out-of-plane curvature. 

The interlaboratory study confirmed substantial size change (>10%) for several materials. The greatest size change 

typically occurred in the machine direction. In the interlaboratory study, several materials demonstrated shrinking in 

the machine direction, with corresponding expansion in the transverse direction. The measured results at the 

participating laboratories were found to be reproducible within ±5% of the absolute size change.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

The authors are grateful to Dr. Michael Kempe, Dr. Sarah Kurtz, Dr. John Pern, and Stephen Glick of the National 

Renewable Energy Laboratory for their help/discussion with specimen fixturing, specimen handling, experimental 

methods, and other subsequent analysis. This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract 

No. DE-AC36-08GO28308 with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the National Institute of Standards 

and Technology of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

REFERENCES 

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Electrotechnical Commission: Geneva, 1–4 (1995). 

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Sheeting,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 1–5 (2008).

[4] “ASTM C778 - 06 Standard Specification for Standard Sand,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 

1–3 (2006).

[5] J.M. Moseley, D.C. Miller, Q.-U.-A.S.J. Shah, K. Sakurai, M.D. Kempe, G. Tamizhmani, and S.R. Kurtz, “The 

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International Electrotechnical Commission: Geneva, (submitted). 

[7] S.R.J. Axelsson, “On Soil Moisture mapping Using IR Thermography,” Proc. ISPRS Cong., 27–38 (1988).

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