SEMI International Standards
Standards New Activity Report Form (SNARF)
Date Prepared: 04/01/2025Revised (if Applicable):

Document Number: 7363
SNARF for: New Standard: Test Method for Glutaric acid corrosion of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells

Originating Global Technical Committee: Photovoltaic
Originating TC Chapter: China
Task Force (TF) in which work is to be carried out: Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell Task Force
Note: If a new task force is needed, also submit a task force organization form (TFOF)

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1. Rationale:
a. Describe the need or problem addressed by this activity.
(Indicate the customer, what benefits they will receive, and if possible, quantify the impact on the return on investment [ROI] if the Document is implemented.)
In the production process of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, the use of flux is indispensable, but the acidic components in the flux will corrode the cell and affect the performance and life of the cell, which is a common problem in the industry, and the influence of flux on the battery is mainly because of the acid content in its formulation, which corrodes the surface of the battery, thereby affecting the efficiency of the battery.

The main components of the flux are activators (organic acids), solvents (alcohols), surfactants, film-forming agents, additives, etc., among which the substances that corrode the battery are mainly the dibasic acids in the activators, and the dibasic acid content of each manufacturer is between 0.5% and 1.5%, the most widely used in the diacid industry is glutaric acid and adipic acid, glutaric acid acidity is stronger than adipic acid, and other chemical properties are similar to adipic acid.

As can be seen from the figure above, the efficiency attenuation range of cells dried after dipping with glutaric acid is between 0.5% and 1.2%, and the attenuation is obvious.

At present, there is a lack of relevant standards for the test methods for the corrosion resistance of photovoltaic cells, and the existing research methods and testing methods in the industry are not perfect, resulting in the lack of a unified basis for enterprises to conduct flux corrosion tests. The formulation of this standard clarifies the methods and requirements of flux corrosion testing, which helps to detect fluxes that may cause corrosion to cells in advance, so as to avoid their use in actual production and ensure the photoelectric conversion efficiency, stability and service life of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells


b. Estimate effect on industry.
2: Major effect on an industry sector - identify the relevant sector
Sector or Company Information: Cell, Module

c. Estimate technical difficulty of the activity.
II: Some Difficulty - Disagreements on known requirements exist but developing consensus is possible

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2. Scope:
a: Describe the technical areas to be covered or addressed by this Document development activity. For Subordinate Standards, list common concepts or criteria that the Subordinate Standard inherits from the Primary Standard, as well as differences from the Primary Standard:
The scope of application of this standard is crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells.
The technical content of this standard includes: test equipment, sample preparation, solution preparation, test process, test report, etc.

b: Expected result of activity
New Standard or Safety Guideline (including replacement of an existing Standard or Safety Guideline)

For a new Subordinate Standard, identify the Primary Standard here:




For Standards, identify the Standard Subtype below:
Test Method

Miscellaneous (describe below):

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3. Projected Timetable for Completion:

a: General Milestones
a. Activity Start: 04/01/2025b. 1st Draft by: 04/01/2026
c. (Optional) Informational Ballot by: d. Letter Ballot by: 05/01/2026
e. TC Chapter Approval By:11/30/2026

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4. Liaisons with other Global Technical Committees/TC Chapters/Subcommittees/TFs:
a. List SEMI global technical committees, TC Chapters, subcommittees, or task forces in your or other Regions/Locales that should be kept informed regarding the progress of this activity. (Refer to SEMI Standards organization charts and global technical committee charters and scopes as needed.)


b. List any planned Type I Liaisons with external nonprofit organizations (e.g., SDO) that should receive Draft Documents from Standards staff for feedback during this activity and be notified when the Letter Ballot is issued (refer to Procedure Manual § 7):


c. Intercommittee Ballots:
will be issued – identify the recipient global technical committee(s):

Identify the recipient global technical committee(s):
Photovoltaic (PV) - Materials
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5. Safety Considerations:
The resulting document is expected:
NOT to be a Safety Guideline

NOTE FOR "to be a Safety Guideline": When all safety-related information is removed from the Document, the Document is NOT technically sound and complete - Refer to Section 15.1 of the Regulations for special procedures to be followed.

NOTE FOR "NOT to be a Safety Guideline": When all safety-related information is removed from the Document, the Document is still technically sound and complete.

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6. Intellectual Property Considerations:
Note: Both a: and b: below should be checked for Revision of existing Standard(s) and Safety Guideline(s).

a. For a new Standard or Safety Guideline and for any part to be modified or added in a Revision of published Standards and Safety Guidelines:
the use of patented technology is NOT required.

If "patented technology is intended to be included in the proposed Standard(s) or Safety Guideline(s) " is selected above, then also check one:


b. For Revision, Reapproval, Reinstatement, or Withdrawal of existing Standard(s) and Safety Guideline(s):
there is no known material patented technology necessary to use or implement the Standard(s) and Safety Guideline(s)

c. The body of the Document and any Appendices, Complementary Files, Related Information sections, or Various Materials that may or may not be a part of the Document by reference:
the incorporation of Copyrighted Item will NOT be required



NOTE FOR ‘the use of patented technology or the incorporation of Copyrighted Item(s) is NOT required’: If in the course of developing the Document, it is determined that the use of patented technology or Copyrighted Item(s) is necessary for the Document, the provisions of Regulations § 16 must be followed.

NOTE FOR ’will incorporate Copyrighted Item’: A copyright release letter must be obtained from the copyright owner prior to publication.

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7. Comments, Special Circumstances:
None.

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8. TC Member Review:
took place between (put dates below ) before approval at the TC Chapter Meeting, or

Member Review Start Date; 04/30/2025
Member Review End Date: 05/14/2025

NOTE FOR ‘TC Member Review’ is required by the Regulations for a period of at least two weeks
before approval of a new, or a major revision of an existing, Standard or Safety Guideline. (Refer to Regulations ¶ 8.2.1)
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9. SNARF Approval Dates:
TC Chapter or GCS05/14/2025
Recorded in TC Minutes

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10. SNARF Extension Dates:
TC Chapter Extension Granted on
Extension Expires on