The increase of temperature in a vehicle and uncomfortable feeling of heat on the skin is mainly caused by the infrared rays (IR) contained in sunlight.
By IR-cutting particles dispersed in the PVB interlayer film, S-LEC™ Solar Control Film absorbs infrared rays to prevent them from entering the interior. This technology enables S-LEC™ Solar Control Film to have additional solar control performance with good visible light transmittance (Tvis)*1 on top of UV (ultraviolet) cutting performance.
S-LEC™ Solar Control Film protects the human skin and can prevent the steering wheel, seats and dashboard of a vehicle from becoming too hot.
In addition to improving the comfort inside a vehicle, S-LEC™ Solar Control Film also contributes to a variety in automotive glass design and saving energy consumption of air conditioner.
S-LEC™ Solar Control Films are adopted in more than 5 million new vehicles produced annually*2. This number is increasing each year because of the growing market demand for solar control performance.
*1 Lower Visible Light Transmittance (Tvis) is also possible for privacy glazing applications
*2 SEKISUI S-LEC estimation
For automotive glass, green glass with certain heat-shielding characteristic is commonly used. There are various types of green glass with different visible light transmittance and heat shielding properties all over the world. The glass type and thickness often differ depending on the required performance of the vehicle and the design of parts that use glass, such as the windshield and side windows.
Depending on the glass type, thickness and required heat-shielding performance, S-LEC™ Solar Control Film offers 3 grades to reach the optimum performance for automotive glass while maintaining visible light transmittance of 70% or higher for the windshield (automotive standard).
The required solar control performance varies depending on the concept of the car and the region where the vehicle is sold.
S-LEC ™ Solar Control Film has three types of solar grades: L, AN02, and AN01. In addition, we can develop customized grades on request.
By combining the solar grade with the required characteristics and glass combination, we can achieve optimal solar control performance.
In general, thinner, dark solar green glass achieves good solar performance in combination with grade L, while AN02 performs better in combination with solar green glass with an intermediate thickness. AN01 performs best in combination with thinner green glass.
SEKISUI S-LEC has conducted several vehicle tests comparing various types of standard PVB film and S-LEC ™ Solar Control Film to study its benefits. S-LEC™ Solar Control Film blocks the sunlight entering the vehicle, improving thermal comfort and reducing the energy consumption of the air conditioner, which also contributes to extending the driving range for electric vehicles.
S-LEC™ Solar Control Film reduces temperature increase caused by sunlight and keeps the inside of the vehicle more comfortable regardless of the heat outside.
By the means of a vehicle test comparing general glass and S-LEC™ Solar Control Film (L) in the same car, it’s been confirmed S-LEC™ Solar Control Film lowers the temperature by a maximum of 7°C .
S-LEC™ Solar Control Film efficiently cuts heat at the wavelengths of 1450nm and 1900nm of the spectrum where the human skin is most sensitive to the heat.
In a survey comparing the thermal comfort of standard laminated glass and S-LEC™ Solar Control Film, 94% of respondents said that the reduction in heat can be noticed significantly.
By reducing the temperature in the vehicle, S-LEC™ Solar control Film can reduce the use of the air conditioner(AC). Based on vehicle test results, solar grade L can reduce the use of the AC by 20% in comparison to standard laminated glass. This saves on use of the battery and can achieve an extension in the driving range by 1.6%.
Based on the vehicle test result for solar grade L, it is expected AN02 and AN01 will be able to save more energy.
View our on-demand Webinar to learn more about the S-LEC™ Solar Control Film line up and the benefits for the vehicles and its occupants.
S-LEC™ film offers a wide variety of solutions. Please download brochures from here.
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