Switchable glass is a type of glass that changes from transparent to opaque or translucent through electricity or other means of light control. There are various types of switchable glass technologies, including electrical and liquid crystal. PDLC (polymer dispersed liquid crystal), SPD (Suspended Particle Device) and EC (electrochromic) switchable types are currently most known and can be adopted according to the application and vehicle concept.
Switchable glass can switch between transparent and opaque at any time, freely controlling the sunlight entering the vehicle and providing passengers with comfort and a driving experience. In recent years, switchable roof glass has spread rapidly.
Switchable glazing is becoming a more popular option not only for premium but also for mid-segment vehicles. Consumers have started to set requirements for what kind of switchable appearance the roof of their car should have, and they want to choose this option for their vehicle.
Some of the most important requirements are that the roof glass should have a neutral colour appearance and privacy function to stay protected against the heat from the sun.
At SEKISUI S-LEC, we offer different S-LEC™ Dark Colour Films to achieve the desired colour appearance for different switchable types.
Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) is a material in which liquid crystal molecules are dispersed within a polymer matrix. The liquid crystal molecules are encapsulated within the switchable film, and the film becomes transparent from its hazy appearance when voltage is applied.
PDLC film is generally whitish and must be laminated with grey PVB interlayers to get the preferred roof glass. S-LEC™ Dark Colours are available in over 25 colour grades, consisting of three grey colours and numerous types of Tvis (visible light transmittance). You can create your preferred switchable roof glass by selecting the required colour grade according to the car’s concept and the glass’s required characteristics.
In addition, S-LEC™ Dark Colours has low haze performance, creating an open space with excellent design characteristics on the roof glass.
SPD (Suspended Particle Device) is a switchable device that disperses microscopic light-absorbing particles in film droplets. EC (Electrochromic) type uses electrochromic material that switches colour electrically. Both types can switch between transparent and low transmittance.
Typically, both SPD and EC types have a blue-tinted appearance. When laminated with S-LEC™ Bronze Colour with SPD or EC types, the glass cancels out this blue tint from the switchable film, creating a more neutral colour to the overall glass. This allows the colours of the materials in the interior to remain true to the intended colour that designers wish to showcase for the vehicle.
S-LEC™ Dark Colour Films for laminated roof glass offer 30-plus colour variations in both the 0.76mm thickness commonly used for automotive glass and the 0.38mm thickness required in roof system optimization for the superior design for automotive roof glass.
In addition, S-LEC™ Dark Colour Films are developed to have low haze, which minimizes the hazy appearance of phenonium that can occur when layering several films in one stack. Our experts can advise you on the best colour and thickness to achieve optimal performance in line with your requirements.
We can offer bolder colours as a part of our customized colour program to meet individual customer’s demands or for vehicle concepts. Download our brochure for more information about our colourline-up, applications and technical data, such as Tvis and L*a*b* values.
SEKISUI S-LEC offers a wide range of privacy colour variations. Please look at our colour designs that expand the possibilities and options for designers and engineers.
See S-LEC™ Dark Colour through our Colour Glass Collection, and consider incorporating S-LEC™ film into your dimmable roof glass.
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