Increase of mechanical durability and uv resistance of eva films with natural mineral additives

Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer is widely used as an encapsulation material in photovoltaic modules due to its high optical transmittance, flexibility, and adhesion strength. Ethylene-vinyl acetate ensures the maximum transmission of sunlight to the cells while protecting them against moisture, mechanical stress, and outdoor environmental factors. However, prolonged exposure to UV radiation and thermal effects leads to degradation such as yellowing, loss of optical transmittance, reduction in mechanical strength, and delamination. In this study, natural mineral fillers were incorporated into the Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate matrix at different ratios to improve the UV resistance and mechanical properties of Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate films. The produced composite films were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), tensile testing, and accelerated UV aging analyses. The results indicated that the addition of minerals at %16,7 enhanced the crystallization behavior, increased tensile strength, and provided higher resistance against UV radiation. These findings reveal that natural mineral-filled thylene-vinyl acetate films hold significant potential for photovoltaic module encapsulation applications in terms of long-term durability and stability.