3M UBF 510-F ETFE Ultra Barrier Solar Film Top Sheet 352mm Wide per Meter

3M UBF 510-F ETFE Ultra Barrier Solar Film Top Sheet 352mm Wide per Meter

The 3M UBF 510-F is a multi-layer ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) barrier film designed as a front sheet / top sheet encapsulant for lightweight, flexible thin-film photovoltaic modules. It functions as a glass replacement in flexible solar panel constructions, providing a transparent protective front layer between the solar cells and the environment. The film integrates a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer for bonding to edge seals and is engineered for use in laminated flexible PV module stacks including encapsulant, solar cell, and backsheet layers.

Specifications & What's Included

• Model: 3M UBF 510-F


• Material: ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene), multi-layer construction


• Width: 352 mm


• Unit of sale: 1 meter per unit (increase quantity for multiple meters)


• Thickness: 0.333 mm (13.10 mil) — ASTM D6988


• Tensile Strength: 175 MPa — ASTM D882


• Elongation: 12% — ASTM D882


• Shrinkage at 23°C (balanced layer): 0.15% — ASTM 3M


• Optical Transmission: >80% average, 400–1400 nm


• Low Shrinkage: 0.15%


• Dielectric / Partial Discharge: >1,000V — ASTM D719 / IEC 61730-2 MST 11


• Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR): <5 × 10⁻⁴ g/m²/day @ 23°C, 85% RH


• Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion (CTE): Low CTE


• Operating Temperature: −40°C to 100°C


• Processing Temperature: 100°C for approximately 10 minutes


• UV Stability: Yes


• Certifications: UL Certified Component (E316895)


• Manufacture Date: 2016


• Storage: Plastic-sealed rolls in original packaging


• Source: Originally purchased by Solopower (Portland, OR) or Dow Solar (San Jose, CA)

Applications

The 3M UBF 510-F is designed for use as the front sheet in flexible thin-film photovoltaic module construction, serving as a lightweight alternative to rigid solar glass. It was developed specifically for flexible CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) and other thin-film solar cell technologies where conformability and low weight are required. This film was used by thin-film solar manufacturers including Solopower and Dow Solar (producers of flexible CIGS panels) during the 2010s manufacturing era. It is suited for research and development, prototype module fabrication, and small-scale or specialty PV manufacturing operations that require a certified, multi-layer ETFE front sheet. Buyers include solar panel R&D labs, academic institutions, and engineering teams working with flexible PV module construction.