• STC Films

FAQ

  • SRC: Scratch Resistant Coat
  • VLT: Visual Light Transmission 0 to 99% 400 to 700nm (Nano meter)
  • UV: Ultra Violet Wave length from 100 to 400 nm (Most film manufacturers specs test only up to 380nm instead of the full range).
  • IR: Infra-Red Wave length from 700 to 1400nm
  • TSER: Total Solar Energy Rejection is the average of VLT, UV & IR after considering the convection and conduction of absorbed heat.

Types of Sun Control films:

The first Sun control films were made in a primitive way, by which a clear PET film was coated/laminated with adhesive mixed with a colorant (dye). Some factories still make them in this way but in a more sophisticated manner. These films exhibit many flaws if not manufactured in the right way and using the right resins and Dyes. Color fading or color changing to blue and purple, adhesive lines due to adhesive shifting, bubbling. This type of film is called Glue dyed.

The Second generation meant mixing the Dye into the PET granules and extruding the film. This type of production possesses its own flaws. Fading being one of them and to get a uniform color across the film is another challenge. This type of film is called Pet Dyed.

To get a higher percentage of heat rejection modern science came into the picture to make the third generation, precious and semi-precious metals are used to bombard the clear PET film with atoms and coat the film, a process known commonly as sputtering. This method is used till this day, sometimes two plies of films are combined to give the film its heat rejecting properties and the desired shade. However, these films are not friendly to mobile and GPS signal reception due to the metal content. This type of film is called Sputtered.

The fourth generation is the Ceramic films or commonly known as Nano ceramic. Where Nano sized particles of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) and Antimony Tin Oxide (ATO) are deposited on the clear PET using a sputtering process. These films are spectrally selective, whereas they let in light but reject heat. These films have a long lifespan and do not fade, however if the PET base was not clear fading can occur. Not all Nano Ceramic films are born equal, some are made using organic materials, which tend to fail in a short time span. Usually the cost factor of these films is a good gauge of product quality. This type of film is called Ceramic.

Variants: There are several variants of the above films some of which are protected by various patents.

The newest film to be introduced is a multi-layer single ply film, this technologically advanced film made by a patented process, possesses many unique qualities, including rejection UV rays up to 400 Nano meter, Blue light and Infra-red ray rejection, effectively raising the bar for Sun Control film manufacturers.