Introduction to Indium Tin Oxide Coatings:
So many things we use daily utilise the unique properties of Indium Tin Oxide Coatings (ITO), from touch screen tech to aircraft windshields, yet, the vast majority of people have never heard of it.
Indium Tin Oxide is used to make transparent conductive coatings. It’s amongst the most universally used transparent conducting oxides because of its electrical conductivity and optical transparency. It can be used as a thin film very easily, increasing the thickness will increase the material conductivity but decrease its transparency.
Our Indium Tin Oxide Coatings can be applied to glass that can reflect heat radiation yet transit light like glass. The properties of indium tin oxide coated glass make it a popular choice of material for environmentally friendly construction and low emissivity (Low-E) windows. The ability to regulate temperature is beneficial for rooms like scientific research labs.
Use on Low Emissivity Windows
The use of ITO coatings on glass windows results in a reduction of heat loss and gain. Throughout the year, heat generated within a building will be preserved by the coated glass’ reflective ability, allowing the heat to remain in the building. The result is reduced heating costs in the winter for buildings using low-e windows.
Similarly, In the summer, the heat from the sun is reflected by the ITO coated glass, keeping the building cool, cutting down on costs of running air conditioning, and helping reduce environmental impact.
Uses of Reflective Glass
ITO reflective coatings can be used in the automotive industry too though the use of reflective auto glass in vehicles. Vehicles are more environmentally due to the reduction or elimination of climate control methods needed when using reflective coated glass.
Another application of reflective coated glass to control temperature is in scientific research. Some research labs may require strict climate control and glass can be used to stabilise the temperature.
Conductive transparent indium tin oxide coatings can also shield electromagnetic fields. Due to the low surface electrical resistances available, many of our ITO coatings are an ideal solution for the construction of EM protection windows that must transmit visible light and shield electromagnetic radio waves.
Typical applications of ITO coated substrates include:
- Electrochromic and electroluminescent displays
- Energy conserving windows
- Field emission displays
- Gas sensors
- Heat reflective coatings
- LCD displays
- Photovoltaics
- Plasma displays
- Touch panels/screens and more
- Aircraft windshields
Benefits:
ITO is designed to meet complicated client-specific requirements, these coatings grant significant benefits that make them the perfect solution to the demands of applications within both industry and research.
The main benefits of Diamond Coatings’ Diamox ITO coatings are their high:
- Optical Transparency – At wavelengths from 525nm to 600nm, 20 ohms/sq. coatings have typical light transmission rates (peak) of 81% on polycarbonates and 87% on glass substrates.
- Electrical conductivity – Sheet resistances start from as little as 2.5 Ohms/sq. (although it should be noted that sheet resistances <10 ohms/sq. can be produced only on glass substrates)
- Shielding Effectiveness – At 1GHz and 1MHz, ITO coatings offer respective shielding effectiveness rates of 26dB and 58dB. Consequently inhibiting, minimising and potentially eliminating ESD, RFI and EMI effects, this serves to improve both the overall performance and reception of electronic devices.
- Hardwearing Durability – Offering good chemical stability and resistance to cracking, crazing and delaminating; flaking, peeling and water (moisture) penetration, ITO coatings show neither evidence of optical degradation nor of reductions in sheet resistances or coating adhesion when tested to MIL STD 48497 (i.e. exposure to salt spray and humidity/thermal cycling).
Limitations:
Oxide-coatings are not recommended for prolonged exposure to temperatures greater than 300°F, or 150°C in oxygen or air atmospheres, which may result in undesired changes in resistivity.
Follow this link to learn more about our DIAMOX Indium tin oxide coatings and view our datasheets: https://www.diamondcoatings.co.uk/ito-coating/
