ITO Film

ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) is often used for coating glass, but due to modern developments, ITO can now also be used to coat plastic substrates such as acrylic, polycarbonate or polyester (PET) film.  ITO film has since become an important component of many technologies and applications.

Polyester film is composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and is a high performance, transparent thermoplastic. ITO Polyester film has ideal mechanical properties for processing, such as vacuum coating and laminating. The level of conductivity and transparency of ITO films, are favourable for many uses, over other coating options.

It is often more suitable to use ITO polyester film over other thermoplastics for certain applications, due to the properties that ITO films possess:

• High tensile strength
• Great dimensional stability
• Low moisture absorption
• Resilience at a wide temperature range, with a high melting point
• High UV resistance
• Excellent electrical properties
• High optical transparency
• Greater oxygen permeability
• Good gas barrier
• Highly conductive

Applications of ITO Coated PET Films

The properties of ITO film have made it a popular choice for use in a large range of applications and products across many sectors. Examples include:

• Insulation Films
• Antimicrobial Films
• Packaging Films
• Protective Films
• Tamper Evident Films
• Labelling
• Photovoltaic Back-Sheets
• Electroluminescent Lamps
• Medical Sensors
• Electrophoretic displays
• EMI/RFI Shielding
• Resistive Touch Screens
• Touch Screen Components
• Smart Windows

ITO film coatings can endure harsh environments and temperatures, so ITO thin film strain gauges can be used in more extreme environments such as gas turbines and jet and rocket engines.

ITO films can also be used to defrost an aircraft’s windshield. The application of voltage to the surface generates heat, that can be conducted by the ITO coated film.

Resistive touchscreens are the most common type of touchscreen in use and ITO PET film is a component used in these devices.

ITO Film Supplier

For some applications, directly deposited ITO coatings or ITO plastic films may both be suitable. Using plastic films can offer benefits and disadvantages, in terms of cost and durability. Diamond Coatings specialise in both options and can offer guidance, if needed.

Diamond Coatings’ ITO polyester film is available:

• In sheets (600 mm x 457 mm standard sheet size),
• In rolls (maximum width: 600 mm; lengths up to 100 m) and
• As laser cut shapes.
• Standard sheet resistances include 18, 50 and 100 ohms/sq
• Standard 175-micron thickness

At Diamond Coatings our ITO polyester film is available with protective films on both surfaces, to aid handling and fabrication.

Anti reflective ITO PET film comes supplied with an optically clear adhesive and can provided in sheet form, in continuous meter format on a roll or directly laminated on your chosen substrate. Our AR1617 Film is a highly suitable and cost effective solution for large display or digital signage applications.

If you would like any guidance on the most suitable coating for your intended application, contact the team at Diamond Coatings to discuss your specifications or find out more about what we provide.