Colored mirrors with titanium coating. Mirror effect paint: what is it? Spraying a mirror coating on glass

The deposition of metals and their oxides on glass makes it possible to improve the quality of glass, as well as to impart some additional useful properties to it. Surely many of us have noticed "one-way" mirrors in films. With their help, those outside the room can observe those inside. The latter, in turn, do not see those who are outside, and can only see their own reflection in such glass. Such glasses exist in reality and are most often used not for espionage, but to protect various objects from prying eyes, and mirror coating is used for their manufacture.

Spray technology

The principle of operation of this effect is based on the fact that it is very difficult to see a darkened room against the background of a brighter reflection. To date, there are no translucent mirrors that would have the ability to let light through in one direction and not in the other.

In order to make such glass, people began to use special methods to create products with a one-sided effect. So, ordinary mirrors are glasses, on the back surface of which a very dense and thick reflective coating is applied. Mirrors with one-sided transparency are made by analogy, but a thinner and light-transmitting coating layer is used.

As an alternative today, a mirror film is often used, which is applied to the surface of the product. Such a mirror film can be easily applied to an already finished product.

There are two main spraying methods:

• pyrolytic method (carried out at the manufacturing stage);
• vacuum type deposition (applied to finished products using special type installations).

To date, there are several varieties of vacuum deposition, the most popular, among which are:

• magnetron high-speed;
• ion-plasma.

This type of processing involves the application of various types of metals and their compounds to the glass surface using the magnetron sputtering method. Products are processed in a closed space. Such processing is carried out at the molecular level, due to which the products receive high quality and performance characteristics.

To achieve the desired effect, gases of various types are often used - oxygen, nitrogen or argon. During the reaction, metal layers are formed on the surface of the product. This makes it possible to manufacture glasses with different specified characteristics.

Glass tinted using magnetron sputtering technology has a number of advantages:

• excellent reflective characteristics;
• excellent heat reflection characteristics;
• thanks to the possibility of modeling the thickness of the applied metal layer, manufacturers can produce glasses with the necessary characteristics of light reflection and light transmission;
• this type of coating can even be used to process patterned glass.
• relatively low and affordable cost.

Ion-plasma spraying

To apply ion-plasma spraying, it is necessary to place the product in vacuum conditions. The enclosed space contains an inert gas, negatively charged metal coated cathodes, a positively charged anode, and a triple bushing bearing.

The spray layer during processing is applied precisely to the bearing. The plasma method makes it possible to deposit on the surface of products alloys of various metals, as well as their compounds, such as titanium, silver, aluminum, nickel, chromium, etc.

The quality of the applied coatings will always depend directly on the quality of the surface. In such a case, even such moments as the roughness or texture of the workpiece, the quality of the preparation of the surface itself and the culture of production are taken into account. It can be noted that rather stringent requirements for surface preparation, as well as the cost of the equipment used, can be called a limiting factor that affects the spread of this method.

Sapphire-coated glasses deserve special attention. In the watch industry, this technology is often used to create dials. Mineral glass is used as a material for production, which, in turn, is artificially grown from silicon oxide crystals.

For lovers of particularly durable glass, craftsmen from Switzerland have learned how to create glasses even from artificial sapphires. Such products are characterized by high strength and no less high cost. The solution between strength and cost was found after the invention of mineral-type glass, which was coated with sapphire. This type of sputtering has the strength of sapphire and the cost of conventional mineral. The only drawback is the fast wear time.

Technologies make it possible to apply high-quality tinted, low-emission, self-cleaning coatings to the glass surface, which can have an efficiency of any given degree.

Coatings containing oxides are more durable than metal coatings. They are more resistant to external influences and are chemically related to glass.

Applying tinting to the glass of a car, each driver argues in his own way:

• for one, it is eye protection from sunlight and the glare of headlights of oncoming cars;
• for another - an indispensable element of appearance, an important detail of tuning;
• still others cannot imagine their iron without it, which will be visible to the eyes of all outsiders.

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There are even those who, disregarding the rules of the road and the safety of their children, use tinted windows to transport children without a child restraint (child car seat).

In any case, this must be done in compliance with current regulations, and the method that each car owner will use for this is chosen individually. The method of spraying a thin layer of metal is one of them.

What is it

Tinting by the magnetron method (the second name is plasma) is commonly called tinting by spraying. The method is carried out by placing the surface to be treated in a special chamber, where the thinnest layer of metal is applied to it: bronze, gold, aluminum, and so on.

The method has long been known in narrow circles, today it is practically not used on cars due to the large number of negative features associated with their operation.

Blackout according to GOST and penalties for non-compliance

To avoid getting a fine, car windows must meet the requirements specified in the following documents:

1. , which entered into force on January 1, 2015 to replace GOST 5727-88.

For the first time, Rosstandart introduces new terms and clarifications regarding automotive double-glazed windows:

1. According to clause 5.1.2.5 of GOST 32565-2013: "The light transmission of glasses that provide the driver with an overview must be at least 70." The obsolete document required 75% compliance. The throughput of other glasses around, as before, is not standardized, subject to the presence of 2 exterior mirrors. That is, in this case, the rear can be tinted tightly.
2. In addition, for the first time, the term “resin-coated safety glass” appears in official documents, which means the recognition of the legality of a film pasted on the inside of a car that increases its safety.
3. Another important element is the information that the strip in the upper half of the windshield can have any percentage of transmission: “Light transmission of other (non-wind) and shading strips of windshields in the area above zone B for vehicles of category M and other vehicles is not standardized.” The only criterion for passenger cars is its width is not more than 14 cm.

   

   It follows from this that the “divorce” of a self-serving traffic police officer about a too dark stripe on the windshield is illegal.

4. Finally, there was a legal permission to use a film for energy-saving glass, which was not mentioned before: “Glass dyed in bulk or having a polymer coating capable of reducing the throughput of light or thermal energy.” Prior to this, some "hardcore" lawyers tried to prove that the use of any film on the windshield is illegal.
5. Another curious fact is the lack of information about, while the canceled GOST forbade its use.

Car tinting is regulated not only by the standards presented earlier, but also by the Rules of DD, in clause 7.3 the following is written: "there are coatings or additional elements that interfere with the driver's view."

Thus, claim 3 can be applied to a driver driving such a car. The amount of the fine under the third paragraph will be 500 rubles.

The main advantage of this method when meeting with the traffic police is that he will not be able to remove it, he will not break the glass either, but there is a possibility of losing the diagnostic card.

Spray tint on auto glass

Changing the appearance of the car by spraying metal oxide came from construction. In this direction, it has practically no drawbacks that affect the operation on the roads.

The main difficulty of the work when performing this procedure is to determine the amount of the mixture needed to achieve the result:

1. Insufficient will lead to the fact that the owner of the car will be dissatisfied with the result.
2. Excessive, on the contrary, will cause close attention of the traffic police.

Application technology

Glass tuning associated with the application of tinting by spraying involves a complex technological process that should be performed only by professionals and on appropriate equipment.

Most of the negative reviews from people who have previously encountered such a procedure are related to the fact that the technology was violated, and the work was carried out in artisanal conditions.

The procedure is to perform the following steps:

1. All glass to be tinted is being removed.
2. The surface is cleaned of dust particles, dirt, grease stains. Polished if necessary.
3. The cleaned glass is placed in a vacuum chamber.
4. A thin layer of metal is sprayed onto the surface.

DIY

Do-it-yourself spraying is not a relevant topic today, since this method, in comparison with the film method, is significantly inferior to it. In addition, the technology is considered to be a thing of history; it was widely used in the second half of the last century.

Many motorists of that time proudly used cars with a metallic coating that reflects the sun's rays and gives off a mirror shine. This continued until the material applied in violation began to peel and crumble, which made the machines look very unpleasant.

Service price

The cost of the service affects the specific performance of work and its technological complexity. As mentioned earlier, self-tinting will lead to the fact that the coating will become unusable very quickly.

A professional one will cost an order of magnitude higher than applying a conventional film, which will last much longer.

Table 1. Prices for spray tinting.

As can be seen from the information provided, the prices for spraying depend on the model and design features of the car. However, many salons provide discounts when ordering a comprehensive tinting of the entire car.

Advantages and disadvantages

Sputtered glass receives improved characteristics regarding resistance to mechanical stress, does not fade in the sun and is characterized by high light and heat reflection.

As mentioned earlier, this method is widely used in the production of door and window double-glazed windows, shop windows, internal glass partitions.

Spray tinted glass has a number of disadvantages, primarily the following:

1. In the process of performing work, it is required to remove all glasses, which complicates the process and increases its cost.
2. Compared to the conventional application of the film, it has low wear resistance, it is scratched when lowering / raising with grains of sand.
3. In winter, wrinkles may appear around the heating system. This happens because the materials (metal of the threads, glass and spraying) are incompatible.
4. Removing tinting by spraying is impossible, therefore, when tinting, there is only one way out - to change to a new one.

Despite the positive effects that this method gives, it is practically not used on cars, since the application technology has many negative factors.

Any actions related to changing the car that are not related to its scheduled repair can be classified as tuning, this also applies to tinting.

It, in turn, can be carried out in several ways: the most common gluing of the film, the use of a well-known sputtering, which is carried out according to modern standards, automatic or partial application of a protective decorative film.

Car tinting in today's auto community is a popular technique that allows you to not only modify the car, but also improve its performance.

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But at the same time, there are legislative norms that do not always make it possible to tint a car, setting certain requirements for the level of glass tinting.

In order not to violate the rules of the road, you should understand what spray tinting is in 2019 and how it can be done.

Important information

In order to tint a car, masters use many methods:

• additives in the mass of glass at the stage of its production;
• the use of a film glued to the surface;
• creation of a sputtering layer on glass;
• removable options that do not require permanent installation.

It is spraying and film that are the most common ways to darken windows.

But if the film can be removed at any time, then spraying is a more serious step, moreover, its process is quite complicated and cannot be carried out in artisanal conditions.

But despite this, more recently, spraying was carried out by folk methods in garages, but a similar tinting option turned out not only to be a forbidden mirror, but also quickly covered. Factory variations of tinting do not have such a drawback.

Basic concepts

In the field of toning and legislation, you can often find some concepts that are characteristic of them.

In order to be competent not only in communicating with the masters, but also with traffic police inspectors, it is advisable to know them and be able to use them.

Term	Meaning
GOST	A standard relating to products, works and services, used to achieve the best quality of goods produced and their composition in accordance with GOSTs. Most often it is mandatory, and guarantees the high quality of goods made according to these standards, without allowing any deviations from the specified proportions and the production process.
Toning	A process related to the tinting of car windows, which is also carried out to improve the appearance of the car, but also to improve the comfort of using personal vehicles. For the tinting procedure, different materials are used, in addition, the technologies are also different, as are the consequences of the work.
Toning spraying	A type of tinting, which consists in applying a metallized coating to the glass of a car, after which it changes its color and properties in principle. Such work is carried out only in the factory and using a vacuum chamber.

What are the benefits of tinted cars

Tinted car windows are used for several purposes. First of all, this desire to stand out among the flow of cars, creating an unusual shade of glass, matching it to the main design of the car.

But there are also other benefits that a motorist gets by tinted windows:

Current regulatory framework

According to the law in the Russian Federation there is no complete ban on tinting, so it is still allowed to use its different types.

It says that if the light transmittance is less than 70%, then the traffic police inspector can issue a fine of 500 rubles.

But it should be said that such a conclusion is possible only after and in dry weather.

Execution features

Usually, sputter tinting means the magnetron method, which is achieved by placing glass in a special chamber.

Already there, a thin layer of metal is applied to the material being processed, which can be bronze, gold, aluminum and other metal materials.

In this case, you should figure out what are the features of applying such a tint, how long it lasts, and how to remove it.

In addition, there are often questions related to whether it is possible to spray with your own hands, and what disadvantages it has in principle.

This can help determine how high quality such tinting can be, and how it differs from other types.

Application procedure

Modifications of glasses associated with dimming require compliance with a rather complex technological process.

It must be carried out by professional craftsmen and using specialized equipment.

If everything is done, including the standards, then such tinting will look good. After all, all bad reviews about spraying are mainly associated with a violation of technology, and the performance of work in artisanal conditions.

First of all, for a high-quality application of a metallized layer, it is necessary to remove all the glasses of the machine that are planned to be processed.

This can be a problem in some cases, as the windows in certain cars are held with a special factory sealant, and the main question will not be how to remove the glass, but how to put it back.

Already there, a metallized layer is applied to the surface, after drying, the glass may well be mounted back into the car.

What is the price of the service in Moscow

In Moscow, there are quite democratic prices for spraying tinting, although this process will cost more than the usual film.

For example, a windshield will be processed for 3,000 rubles for foreign cars and for 2,700 rubles for the domestic auto industry. And for the front side windows you should pay 2 and 1.5 thousand, respectively.

The rear side windows of the master will be sprayed for 2,200 rubles for a foreign car and for 1,800 for a VAZ, the rear glass will be able to get a metallized layer for 2 thousand rubles and 1.7 thousand rubles, respectively.

But adjustments can also be made to the price if we are talking about too much glass and car model.

If the driver wants a certain color or turns to an advertised service, then the cost will naturally increase.

Is it possible to make tinting by spraying with your own hands

Despite the fact that masters charge more money for spraying, this tinting method is inferior in quality to film and is more technically complicated.

To carry out the spraying of metal particles not glass, specialized equipment, a special composition and, of course, knowledge, at least theoretical, about the correct tinting are required.

This technology was most widely used at the end of the last century and the beginning of the first decade of the 21st century, but with the growth in the availability of films and their quality, deposition has ceased to be relevant.

If you do the spraying yourself, without having special equipment, then in the end it is quite possible to get a working coating.

But after a few months or even weeks, the metal layer will begin to crumble or partially peel off.

At the same time, cars become unpresentable and may even interfere with the view of drivers.

Video: Karcher chromium plating (chemical plating) glass


How can I remove the film

If we talk about which is easier - old-fashioned coating or tint film, the answer will play in favor of the second option.

After all, to remove the polyethylene tinting, it is enough to gently pry off its edge and tear it off the glass with an effort, after which it will only be washed.

It will be possible to dismantle the tinting in a few seconds, unlike the competitor of the film - the metallized layer.

Glass that has been sprayed with metallized particles is quite reliable. With proper performance of work, such tinting can last almost forever.

And when it becomes necessary to remove the tinting produced in a vacuum chamber, it will be impossible to do this.

After all, the layer is very thin and tightly adheres to the surface, the driver will only have to change the glass to a new one, which will require financial investments.

Are there any downsides to this coverage?

As a rule, old methods, one of which is spraying, have a number of disadvantages, which are even more than advantages.

Mirror glass, one way glass, one way mirror, translucent glass, spy glass(SpyGlass), In many films (especially detective) you can see "one-way" mirrors. Those in the room cannot see who is watching them, they only see their own reflection. At the same time, outside visitors can easily see the suspects. Is it possible to create such glass? Yes you can!

See, but be invisible.



glass properties

Such mirrored glasses do exist and are used for covert observation of people (in order to control behavior or espionage), or to protect the premises from prying eyes.

Such glass must be transparent - to allow light to pass through (so that viewers can see the image). At the same time, it should have mirror properties.

According to optical laws, the reflection coefficients depend only on the optical properties of the medium (the refractive index n) and on the angle of incidence of the beam. Since there is air on both sides of the glass under conditions suitable for human life (and its optical properties depend only on humidity, temperature and pressure and change very little), the glass will have the same properties (refractive indices n, reflection R, transmission T, absorption K) both for light rays falling from the "hidden" space and into it.

Then due to what it is possible to achieve the effect of one-way visibility?







Solution and physical processes

Operating principle mirror glass in that the darkened interior is not visible against the backdrop of a bright reflection.

There are no translucent mirrors that let light in one direction and not the other (it would be "Maxwell's demon"). in the physical sense (as a design of one-way visibility, which does not depend on illumination or other working conditions) - it contradicts physical laws. This concept is used mainly in psychology to discuss moral and ethical issues.

So the person in the room willsee the street clearlyuntil the difference in illumination becomes less than 10÷100. Those. already some time after sunset, the street will not be visible very well. At night, viewers in the room will not see anything.

For the same to be hidden from the eyes of observers on the street, it is necessary that the difference in illumination be at least 2. Therefore, it will be possible to see the outside of the room late at dusk, when it will be only slightly lighter outside than inside.

In order to avoid this, it is necessary to increase the illumination outside at least 2 times compared to the room. This means that it may be necessary to install lamps in front of glass with one-sided transparency, which will create a brighter illumination at night than indoors.






How is a one-way mirror made?

What is the difference between such a one-sided mirror and the usual one and how to make it?

Ordinary mirrors are usually glass with a reflective coating applied to its back side (various alloys of tin, silver, copper, titanium or aluminum). In this case, the deposition is very dense and the deposition layer is thick. This layer is called amalgam.

Mirrors with one-way transparency are made in a similar way, but the sputtering layer is thin and transmits part of the light. Alternative option - application translucent mirror film. It can be applied over existing glazing.

The cost of both methods is the same, the principle of operation is the same. Resistance to mechanical stress (scratches, shocks), temperature conditions and humidity is also approximately the same.

Sputtering of metals and their oxides on glass makes it possible either to improve the quality of glass or to give it additional useful properties. For example, there is spraying on. Or tint.

How difficult is the process - spraying? Is it possible to do it with your own hands, in a home laboratory? What useful properties are attached to glass by sputtering?

We will answer these and other questions in the article further on our portal.

Spraying metal on glass: how it's done

Installation for magnetron sputtering on glass

There are two main methods for spraying metal onto glass:

1. Pyrolytic method - sputtering is carried out during the glass manufacturing process.
2. Vacuum sputtering on glass is carried out on special installations on ready-made glass sheets.

Several methods of vacuum deposition on glass have been developed: cathodic, ion-plasma, magnetron, etc. In view of its simplicity and relative cheapness of the process, magnetron sputtering on glass is the most popular.



Spray installation: view inside the installation

By its principle, it resembles the operation of a conventional cathode-ray tube of old-style TVs: ions of inert gases dispersed in a magnetic field meet a target (metal, metal oxide) on their way and knock out atoms from it, which cover the glass placed across the lines of the magnetic field with a thin layer.

The simplicity of the magnetron method turned out to be so seductive that the idea arose to do sputtering on glass with your own hands. In Moscow and other cities, there were several attempts to implement it at home - they were engaged in the creation of home-grown installations, mainly by specialists from enterprises of the corresponding profile.

We’ll warn you right away: none of the craftsmen known to us have yet succeeded in creating stable operating equipment for magnetron sputtering, which gives high-quality results, at home (garage) conditions. Although the experiments continue.

Types of coated glass



Glass with a mirror coating as part of a double-glazed window

In everyday life, we so often meet glass with different types of coating that we even stop paying attention to it. The most conspicuous example is mirror-coated glass. The one that allows you to see from inside the house, but does not allow you to look inside.

Fundamentally, it differs from a mirror with an amalgam substrate only in that under industrial conditions such a thin reflective layer of metals is applied that the glass acquires the properties of translucency: in one direction you can see through it, in the other you can only see your own reflection.

Usually titanium-coated glass is used as a “spy window”: due to the unique properties of titanium, such glasses are durable and do not change their properties for decades.



Titanium-coated glass in showcase

In Moscow, the price of mirror-coated glass is from 360 rubles / m². By the way, buying a mirror film for glasses, you will not win anything: the total price of "glass + film" will be the same.

Do not confuse mirror-coated glass with silver-coated glass. Sputtering with silver ions is used to create energy-saving glasses. They do not let in infrared radiation from the apartment to the street, contribute to the conservation of heat. Among specialists, they are briefly designated: .

Another common application of vacuum magnetron technology is glass tinting by sputtering. It is popular with motorists. Windows in residential buildings, after all, are cheaper tint with film(see articles and).



Mineral crystals with sapphire coating for watch dials

It is impossible not to say a few words about glasses with sapphire coating. They are used in the watch industry for glazing dials. A common material for this is mineral glass artificially grown from silicon oxide crystals. But for James Bond and other fans to use wristwatches instead of brass knuckles, such glass seems not strong enough, prone to scratches; therefore, Swiss watchmakers have learned to “grow” glass from artificial sapphires. It has a very high hardness and a corresponding price.

A compromise between cost and quality has been found in the creation of sapphire-coated mineral glass: it is almost as cheap as regular mineral glass and almost as hard as sapphire glass. One problem: the coating wears off over time.

Some new Russian admirers of the work of Ian Fleming (the author of Bondiana) ask if there is diamond-coated glass for watches?

Alas, it hasn't arrived yet. But we are waiting any minute - especially for the inhabitants of Rublyovka!

This is how energy-saving glass is distinguished from ordinary glass. Glazing of the loggia with glasses with tinted coating