Coated Glass

Coated glass

Coated glass is a high-performance glass material in which one or more layers of metal, alloy, or metal compound films are deposited on the surface of ordinary glass through physical or chemical methods. This process imparts specific optical and thermal properties to glass, enabling it to be widely applied in various fields, including construction, photovoltaics, and transportation.

Basic Principles and Classification of Coated Glass

The core of coated glass lies in the film layer coated on its surface. These film layers can control the transmission, reflection, and absorption of light, thereby achieving functions such as energy conservation, shading, and decoration. According to the differences in film layer materials and functions, coated glass is mainly classified into the following categories:

1. Reflective glass

Reflective glass is a type of glass with a layer of metal or metal oxide film coated on its surface. It has high reflectivity and can effectively reflect solar radiation, reducing the accumulation of indoor heat. It is often used in the construction of exterior walls and curtain wall systems.

2. Low-emissivity glass

Low-E glass, namely low-emissivity glass, is a product with a film system composed of one or more layers of metals or other compounds coated on the surface of the glass. Its film layer has the characteristics of high transmittance of visible light and high reflection of mid- and far-infrared rays, which makes it have excellent thermal performance and good optical performance compared to ordinary glass and traditional coated glass for buildings.

3. Anti-reflective glass

Anti-reflective glass reduces the reflectivity of light and increases light transmittance by coating a specific film on its surface. It is often used in fields with high optical performance requirements, such as displays and instruments.

Production Process of Coated Glass

The production process of coated glass mainly includes two methods: online coating and offline coating.

1. Online coating

Online coating is a process in glass manufacturing that uses chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technology to introduce gaseous reactants into the glass surface at high temperatures, forming a film layer. The coated glass film produced by this method is firmly bonded to the glass, has good weather resistance, and is suitable for large-scale production.

2. Offline coating

Offline coating is a process in which, after the glass is formed, a film layer is deposited on the glass surface in a vacuum environment using physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques, such as magnetron sputtering. This method allows for precise control of the film layer's thickness and composition, making it suitable for the production of multi-functional, high-performance coated glass.

Performance Advantages of Coated Glass

1. Energy conservation and environmental protection

Coated glass reduces the energy consumption of buildings. It reduces the load on air conditioning and heating by controlling solar radiation and heat conduction, thereby achieving the goals of energy conservation and environmental protection.

2. Improve indoor comfort

By adjusting the light transmittance and heat conduction, coated glass can effectively prevent glare and indoor overheating, enhancing the comfort of living and working environments.

3. Aesthetic decoration

Coated glass is available in a variety of colors and reflective effects and can be used in architectural exterior design to enhance the beauty and modernity of buildings.

Application Fields of Coated Glass

1. Field of Architecture

In the field of architecture, coated glass is widely used in curtain walls, doors, windows, skylights, and other components, enhancing the energy-saving performance and aesthetic appeal of buildings.

2. Photovoltaic industry

In the photovoltaic industry, coated glass is used for encapsulating solar cell modules to enhance photoelectric conversion efficiency. Studies show that the density of the film layer in anti-reflective coated photovoltaic glass has a significant impact on its reliability in long-term wet heat, wet freezing, thermal cycling, salt spray, and UV aging tests.

3. Transportation

In the field of transportation, coated glass is used in the Windows of vehicles such as cars, trains, and aircraft, providing excellent heat insulation, sound insulation, and UV protection functions.

Future Development Trends of Coated Glass

With the popularization of energy conservation and environmental protection concepts and the advancement of technology, coated glass will develop in the following directions:

1. Multi-functional integration

In the future, coated glass will integrate more functions, such as self-cleaning, anti-fogging, and anti-glare, to meet the needs of different application scenarios.

2. Intelligence

By integrating with the intelligent control system, the dynamic adjustment of the light transmittance and heat conduction performance of the glass can be achieved, enhancing the intelligent level of the building.

3. Green Manufacturing

Adopt environmentally friendly materials and processes to reduce energy consumption and emissions of pollution during the production process, promoting the sustainable development of the coated glass industry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, coated glass, as a high-performance and multi-functional material, has demonstrated broad application prospects in multiple fields. With the continuous advancement of technology and the growing market demand, coated glass will play an increasingly important role in the future.