Precious Metal alloys
Au, Ag, Pd, Pt
We can produce precious metal alloy powders with the base metals gold, silver or platinum.
There has been a great deal of increased activity in recent years using these powders in additive manufacturing processes. Spherical, clean free flowing powders are necessary for this technology to be utilised successfully.
Case study
Innovate UK (TSB) funded project investigated the prospect of commercialising silver alloys as ‘cost-effective and low silver’ alternatives to front-side pure silver paste in solar cells thereby achieving a significant reduction in cost per Watt. This project was carried out with collaboration between Johnson Matthey, Solar Capture Technologies and Sheffield University.
The primary objective of the partners was to develop low-cost, high-efficiency silver alloy pastes with reduced silver loading, which retain the crucial properties of pure silver product including conductivity, solderability and oxidation resistance. In order to achieve the objectives, the specific targets for the consortium were:
- Identify promising silver alloys by way of modelling and literature search and fabricate them
- Process the alloys into fine powders
- Formulate as a paste suitable for screen printing with compatible glass frit
- Screen the paste on silicon cells
- Test the promising formulations in PV modules.
Laser size distribution of fine spherical gas atomised Ag alloy powder
For further reading see Hilosilver website
The project produced promising results and this work will continue with further funding.
