What Is ITO?
ITO, an abbreviation for Indium Tin Oxide, is a transparent conducting oxide that finds applications on substrates like glass and plastic. Its dual nature of optical clarity and electrical conductivity allows these substrates to transmit electricity while retaining transparency.
As you might expect, at ITO Coatings we have a range of ITO related products and options, which you can view at our main site Diamond Coatings.
The Story of Indium
Traced back to its discovery in 1863, Indium, a soft metal belonging to the alkali metal group, is relatively scarce in its pure form, especially when compared to more abundant elements like aluminium within the same group. For technological purposes, Indium is primarily sourced as an extraction by-product from zinc and iron due to its rarity.
A quirky fun fact about Indium: When bent, this metal emits an audible squeak, much like us humans!
Indium is primarily used to create Indium Tin Oxide which constitutes a composition of 90% Indium Oxide and 10% Tin Oxide. This specialised thin coating of Indium Tin Oxide preserves the transparency of substrates while providing electrical conductivity.
Applications of Indium Tin Oxide
Think of your touchscreen – whether it’s your personal smartphone or a public touchscreen like ticket kiosks, ATMs, or retail checkouts – ITO serves a pivotal role in various situations where touch interfaces are essential.
In automotive, aerospace, and military scenarios, ITO coatings are extensively utilised, particularly in touch panel devices and touch lighting. Furthermore, ITO finds its place in research and development applications, including electroscopy microscope slides.
ITO Coatings’ Expertise in Indium Tin Oxide
As a leading manufacturer specialising in quality ITO coatings, ITO Coatings boasts expertise in depositing ITO to a range of various substrates and offers an expansive array of ITO coated products.
Additionally, we provide specialised anti-reflective and optical coatings tailored for specific purposes.
If you have a specific requirement for ITO coatings, feel free to reach out to us. Our technical team is ready to address your queries promptly and efficiently.
