Solar Control Coating for Moderate Reflectance and High Transmittance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar control coatings for transparencies lack the ability to achieve an appealing champagne-like or soft-gray aesthetic while maintaining high visible light transmittance, low interior visible light reflectance, and moderate exterior reflectance.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layered functional coating comprising alternating continuous and discontinuous metallic layers with dielectric and primer layers, achieving an exterior reflectance of 12>Rg b*>6, interior reflectance of ≤16%, and visible light transmittance of at least 40%, with a substrate that can be transparent or translucent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional solar control coatings are used to block infrared and ultraviolet radiation, then solar energy reduction is achieved, but the aesthetic appeal and visible light transmittance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is divided into multiple thin layers (first dielectric layer, first metallic layer, first primer layer, second dielectric layer, second metallic layer, second primer layer, third dielectric layer, third metallic layer, fourth dielectric layer, protective layer) with specific thicknesses and material compositions. Each layer performs a specific function: dielectric layers provide optical interference for solar control, metallic layers provide reflectance and aesthetic appearance, and primer layers ensure proper adhesion and optical transitions. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function to achieve both solar energy reduction and high visible light transmittance.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating combines multiple material types in a specific sequence: dielectric materials (such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, zinc oxide, zinc stannate), metallic materials (such as silver, copper, gold, aluminum), and primer materials. This composite structure creates a functional coating that simultaneously provides solar control through optical interference, aesthetic appearance through controlled reflectance, and high visible light transmittance through optimized layer thicknesses and material selections.
2Temperature
If conventional solar control coatings are used to reduce heat buildup, then energy efficiency is improved, but the aesthetic appeal and interior reflectance control are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coating provides different optical properties at different locations and depths: the exterior surface provides moderate reflectance for aesthetic appeal, while the interior surface provides low reflectance for better light transmission into the building. The multiple dielectric and metallic layers are positioned to create specific optical interference patterns that selectively control reflectance at different wavelengths and directions, allowing heat reduction while maintaining aesthetic appeal and controlling interior reflectance.
3Illumination intensity
If multi-layered functional coating is applied to achieve desired optical properties, then aesthetic appeal and solar control are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coating optimizes optical performance by precisely controlling parameters such as layer thickness (e.g., first dielectric layer: 20-40 nm, first metallic layer: 5-20 nm, second dielectric layer: 10-30 nm, etc.), material composition, and sequence arrangement. By adjusting these parameters, the coating achieves the desired exterior reflectance (12>Rg b*>6), interior reflectance (≤16%), and visible light transmittance (≥40%) while managing manufacturing complexity through standardized deposition processes.
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 coating provides an aesthetically appealing champagne-like or soft-gray appearance with effective solar energy reduction, maintaining high visible light transmittance and low interior reflectance.
Implementation Method 1
Solar control coatings block or filter selected ranges of electromagnetic radiation, typically radiation in the infrared region and/or ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum
Implementation Method 2
The functional coating comprises alternating continuous and discontinuous metallic layers with dielectric and primer layers, achieving an exterior reflectance of 12>Rg b*>6, interior reflectance of ≤16%
Implementation Method 3
a visible light transmittance of at least 40%
Data Source
AI summary
A coated article includes a substrate and a functional coating over the substrate. The functional coating includes a first dielectric layer, a continuous first metallic layer, a first primer layer, a second dielectric layer including a first film and a second film, a discontinuous second metallic layer, a second primer layer, a third dielectric layer including a first film and a second film, a continuous third metallic layer, a third primer layer, a fourth dielectric layer, and a protective layer. The coated article includes an exterior reflectance b* (Rg b*) of 12>Rgb*>6; an interior reflectance of less than or equal to 16%; and a visible light transmittance of at least 40%. A coated transparency and a method of making a coated article are also provided.