Why Use ITO On Glass?
We are hoping after you read this blog the question might be ‘why wouldn’t you use ITO on glass’ – the applications are numerous and more common than you might have previously thought…
So what is ITO?
ITO is short for the chemical name Indium Tin Oxide. ITO can be deposited onto substrates as a thin transparent film. The remarkable quality that ITO possesses is that it is also electrically conductive – so when ITO is deposited on glass, the glass becomes conductive.
Conductive glass… that sounds pretty amazing right?
What is ITO glass used for?
We said quite a lot and in more common applications than expected, so here goes… The majority of touchscreen devices utilise ITO glass to provide the touch command. When your finger makes a gesture on the screen, the glass’s electric charge is modified. The device will register the touch location and gesture based on the charge drop.
ITO glass is used to provide a low voltage across the glass surface, which provides heat – this is perfect for demisting and de-icing windows. As well as some high end cars, this application is used to great effect in the cockpits of planes and helicopters, as well as trains.
This same principle is also used in miliary and medical devices and instruments. When a display is subject to an unforgiving environment, visual clarity is essential, ITO glass can provide a soldier with a clear screen on their device on the battlefield, for instance.
There are so many other applications where ITO on glass is required. Low energy windows, supermarket freezer doors and solar cells are other good examples.
Indium Tin Oxide coatings can also be used to make Infra-red mirrors and FIR filters because ITO coatings with low surface resistance and a higher film thickness have a good reflection in the upper infrared wavelength range.
Conductive transparent Indium Tin Oxide conducting coatings can shield electromagnetic fields. Due to the low surface electrical resistances available, ITO coatings can be an ideal solution for the construction of EMI protection windows that must transmit visible light and shield electromagnetic radio waves.
Conducting ITO coated glass microscope slides are also particularly useful for electron microscopy. In charging the glass slide, there is no need to charge the specimen, allowing for a longer period of inspection before specimen deterioration.
Our ITO on glass Services
We are a well-established company based in the UK with decades of service within the specialist coatings industry. Our coatings include anti reflective, hard coatings and of course ITO coatings. We are able to deposit our coatings onto a multitude of substrates including thin PET films, plastics and glass.
We offer a range of off-the-shelf products at our online store, including ITO glass sheets as well as a bespoke service based on each customer’s specific requirement.
Get in touch
Why not get in touch with us today? A member of our tech team would be happy to discuss your individual requirements and suggest solutions to assist with your particular project. Please contact us today for more information.
