NIR-Reflective Non-White Coating Composition for Window Coverings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current window coverings struggle to effectively manage solar energy in non-white colors, as traditional dark pigments absorb NIR radiation, leading to increased surface and surrounding temperatures, and IR reflective pigments are difficult to process due to abrasiveness and high viscosity issues.
Innovation Solution
Development of a composition using IR reflective and/or IR transmissive non-white pigments with a polymeric resin and a viscosity-reducing agent, incorporating an intermediate coating layer to address abrasiveness, and a multi-layer coating process to achieve desired colors and solar control characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional carbon black-based pigments are used to form non-white coverings, then desired dark colors are achieved, but passive solar management deteriorates with only about 5% reflection of impinging solar radiation and increased surface temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines conventional carbon black-based pigments with infrared-reflective pigments (such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or barium sulfate) to create a composite pigment system. This composite approach allows the coating to achieve both dark coloration from the carbon black and infrared reflection from the other pigments, resolving the contradiction between color depth and solar radiation reflection.
2Loss of energy
If infrared reflective inorganic pigments are used at high concentrations to achieve desired dark colors, then NIR reflectivity is improved, but composition viscosity increases to about 10,000 mPas making processing impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the pigment composition by adding dispersants, surfactants, and viscosity-reducing agents. These additives change the rheological properties of the composition, reducing viscosity from 10,000 mPas to manageable levels while maintaining the high concentration of infrared-reflective pigments necessary for NIR reflection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary substances such as dispersants and surfactants that act as mediators between the infrared-reflective pigments and the coating matrix. These intermediaries improve pigment dispersion and reduce aggregation, thereby lowering viscosity and improving processability without compromising the infrared reflection capability.
3Loss of energy
If infrared reflective inorganic pigments are used for coloring yarns and textiles, then solar control is improved, but the highly abrasive nature of these pigments causes processing difficulties and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses binding agents and protective colloids as intermediary substances that encapsulate or coat the abrasive infrared-reflective pigment particles. This intermediary layer reduces direct contact between the abrasive pigments and the yarn or textile substrate, minimizing mechanical damage while allowing the pigments to maintain their solar control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the surface properties of the infrared-reflective pigments through surface treatment or coating, changing their physical parameters to reduce abrasiveness. This may involve coating the pigment particles with softer materials or modifying their surface morphology, thereby reducing mechanical damage to textiles while preserving optical properties.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly enhances NIR reflectivity in non-white window coverings, improving thermal management by reflecting more solar radiation and maintaining lower temperatures, while overcoming processing challenges with abrasive pigments.
Implementation Method 1
an article formed with titanium dioxide-based pigment can reflect more than 70% of the near infrared (NIR) radiation
Implementation Method 2
IR reflective and/or IR transmissive non-white pigments
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are compositions that can be used in forming products with increased near infrared (IR) reflective capability. A composition can include IR reflective and/or IR transmissive non-white pigments and can be formed with suitable viscosity so as to successfully coat substrates, e.g., yarns, suitable for use in forming coverings for architectural openings, e.g., window coverings. Also disclosed are textile substrates coated with the compositions, including textile substrates coated with compositions that include abrasive, inorganic IR reflective dark pigments.