TD Column: FilmTack Free-Writing Prospectus

[Glass Tinting Supplies]

There seems to have been some success in reducing Haze/Hue in Ceramic based films over the past 3 years for some manufacturers.

 

Specifically those that own and operate particle grinding equipment. The ability to control the breakdown size of the metals/ceramics that are deposited into the films seem to have not just reduced Low angle Hazing, but also improved clarity and the overall performance of the film.

 

If you don't have the equipment to control particle size, then it would seem you are restricted to only working what is available.

 

Let's hope we see some break through products being produced over the next few years that will give the whole industry a boost!

 

Cheers.

[FilmTack]

41 minutes ago, Glass Tinting Supplies said:

Hi there Film Tack,

I just want to say that I enjoyed reading the information on this post. Every word of it. Thanks!

 

Particularly the Topic of 'UV 100'.

Lots of 'hype' words are used in our industry.. Carbon... IR... Nano Carbon... and so on...

You hit the nail on the head, and we can likely expect that the new 'hype' phrase will be UV100.

 

Like you stated, the window film supply market is tough. Any edge one can get is usually jumped upon, even if it is questionable.

 

I can see it now... "But madam, our competitor's product only cuts 99.9% of UV, and ours cuts 100%.

 

Once again, thank you for taking the time to put this information on Tintdude.

Take care, Cheers.

GTS 

Hi GTS, 
Thanks for reading.

I think it is still against by my value system to sell a product as 100% UV protection, even if it is technically possible at some wavelength. Moreover, there are also UV meters around that measures UV A/B/C at different wavelengths which gives a slightly different reading. 

Most manufacturers in the world, defines their Carbon and Ceramics IR films clearly, I have not came across a US, Japanese or Korean factory who misled tinters on this. 
 

Just too tired at workplace, so I posted here to chill. Just for your reading pleasure.

You have a good weekend.

[FilmTack]

34 minutes ago, Glass Tinting Supplies said:

There seems to have been some success in reducing Haze/Hue in Ceramic based films over the past 3 years for some manufacturers.

 

Specifically those that own and operate particle grinding equipment. The ability to control the breakdown size of the metals/ceramics that are deposited into the films seem to have not just reduced Low angle Hazing, but also improved clarity and the overall performance of the film.

 

If you don't have the equipment to control particle size, then it would seem you are restricted to only working what is available.

 

Let's hope we see some break through products being produced over the next few years that will give the whole industry a boost!

 

Cheers.

 

Very good understanding my friend.

Here's some science behind it:

Generally speaking, given the same VLT and base polyester.......................

 

1. Dip-dyed films should have lower haze than Carbon or Ceramic films.
2. The same carbide in a processed molecular form can offer lower haze but cost a lot more. The process costs more than the ingredient
3. However for some ceramics, the processed version as another molecular compound can offer a lower price for the same heat reduction (due to lower loadings required).

just my 2 cents

[FilmTack]

Signal-Friendly Window Films

The article on Signal-Friendly Window Films has been transferred to:

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6867868538141593601

Edited November 20, 2021 by FilmTack

[FilmTack]

9. Trends in Sputtered Film Technology

 

Earlier sputtered films in our industry, have been subjected to limitations such as dependence on reflectivity to provide better TSER. However, high reflectance might be undesirable for certain applications and affects building aesthetics. Copper and silver, are still the most cost-efficient substitutes for gold, to provide high heat reduction at higher VLTs and their oxidation-risk used to be higher.

Today, Sputtered Films have improved with significantly-lower oxidation-risk and the reputable versions in our industry are providing high heat reduction with <10% Visible Light Reflectance. 

The next generation of sputtered films in our industry will continue to offer superior heat reduction & durability. Most importantly, the new versions will likely to be priced at a fraction of today's cost (given the same VLT and heat reduction), due to the emergence of ""boutique" metal compounds with low oxidation-risk, low reflectivity and good heat reduction.

In sputtering science, it costs exponentially higher to achieve the same heat reduction at higher VLT; and the application of exotic metal compounds will not defy this law. As such, the impact of the cost-lowering will likely be felt-most in darker sputtered films of VLT 5 - 40%

Edited January 10, 2018 by FilmTack

[FilmTack]

10. Dual-Reflective Window Films as Cost-Effective Energy-Saving Solution for Home & Offices

 

Glass as a building material, in place of concrete walls has become popular in recent years due to its aesthetic appeal, and its capacity to provide a feel of open space.  However, according to the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code, the fenestration area recommended to be limited to 40% of the wall area, because window panes cause higher solar heat gain in buildings.

 

Energy consumption in building is particularly high due to the air-conditioning requirements during hot summer. Today, technological advancement is giving home owners and offices an energy-saving solution for retrofitting their windows. Cooling costs in summer months can be reduced, as Dual-Reflective window films greatly reduce the amount of heat entering through the windows by significantly minimizing the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of glazing systems.

Illustrative Example:

Film Models	Maxpro Dual-Reflective 5	Maxpro Dual-Reflective  15	Maxpro Dual-Reflective 25	Maxpro Dual-Reflective 35
Visible Light Transmitted	8%	14%	27%	38%
Visible Light Reflected-Exterior	56%	48%	27%	13%
Visible Light Reflected-Interior	15%	21%	14%	8%
Glare Reduction	91%	84%	70%	58%
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient	0.20	0.25	0.40	0.55
Total Solar Energy Rejection	80%	75%	60%	45%
Ultraviolet Rejection	>99%	>99%	>99%	>99%

 

Dual-Reflective Window Films, as with the above example, offers an affordable solution for higher heat reduction and lower interior reflectance. It is a dry-adhesive product with superior durability; translating to long-term cost-savings.

[FilmTack]

11. Getting the Design on Decorative Films

Decorative films offers one of the highest durability among the products in our industry. There are two primarily techniques to get that design or repeat-pattern on the films:

 

Electro-etched Surfaces

Electro-etching on polymer surface is a manufacturing technique that was first-developed for other industries. The original-intent was to convert certain areas of an hydrophobic plastic surface to hydrophilic. This facilities the coating of micro-electronics electro-plating, spray-painting or surface-coatings on the electro-etched plastic surface.

Visually, a transparent electro-etched surface will appear matte-white after the process; creating an avenue to create uniform designs on clear polyester. Electro-etched surfaces are very durable and provide certain level of resistance against solvents (for a reasonable time-frame), as shown in the photo on left

 

 

 

 

 

 

Printed Surfaces

For years, small-scale inkjet printers allow the printing of any designs on films for decorative purposes. Most decorative window films adopt on this printing-technology and apply the weatherable ink on the UV-resistance adhesive between the the window film and glass.

 

As shown in the photo on left, the printed designs of decorative films can only be removed by solvents after the film is removed from the glass.

 

Edited February 9, 2018 by FilmTack