Emissivity (E)
A measurement of a surface’s ability to absorb or reflect radiant energy. The lower the emissivity rating, the better the insulation characteristic of the glazing system in regard to heat loss. For windows with film, emissivity refers to the heat reflected back into the room. When using film performance data, lower emissivity ratings are preferred to minimize interior heat loss.
Low-Emissivity
Low-Emissivity, or Low-E, refers to a coating on glass or window film that reduces heat loss through the window film. The lower the emissivity rating, the better the insulation characteristic of the glazing system in regard to heat loss.
Deposition Process
A form of physical vapor deposition (PVD) often used for deposition of metal films. Film is drawn through a tank containing metal ingots where a vacuum is created by reducing the pressure in the tank, which is then flooded with argon gas and the ingots are heated. The heat causes the metal to give up particles that migrate to the film's surface.
Polyester Film
Polyesters are made from chemical substances found mainly in petroluem and are manufactured in fibers, films, and plastics. Polyester film (PETF) is a semi-crystalline film used in many applications such as videotape, high quality packaging, professional photographic printing, X-ray film, floppy disks, etc.
Sputtering Process
A form of physical vapor deposition (PVD) often used for deposition of metal films.Sputtering involves knocking metal atoms off a disc of pure metal with charged, energetic, chemically inactive atoms called ions (from a plasma). The metal atoms will re-deposit and build on top of polyester film.
Dyed Film
Window film that uses either a submersion process or a dyed adhesive process to deposit dye onto its surface to achieve the qualities and look of tinted film.
Metallic Film
Window film that uses either a sputtering process or deposition process to deposit metals onto its surface to achieve the qualities and look of tinted film. A process where metals are applied onto a clear, polyester film as an even layer. Different metals produce different hues and performance capabilities to meet the varying consumer needs.
Hybrid Film
Window film that is made up of a combination of metallic film and dyed film to achieve the qualities and look fo tinted film.
Nano Ceramics
Nano Ceramic technology is the newest technology in window films. Ceramics are tough and stable materials used in space shuttles, integrated circuit components and industrial cutting tools. Nano-Ceramics are atomic-fine, equivalent to 0.000000001m discrete optical coatings which are deposited through reactive plasma processes
Infrared Light
A form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 0. 7 micrometres (0.0007 millimetres) and 1 millimetre. These wavelengths are longer than those of visible light, but shorter than those of microwaves. (The prefix 'infra' means 'below; infrared refers to radiation below the frequency of red light.) Infrared light is primarily thermal radiation, and we can think of this as being heat.