HDClear Film is composed of incredibly strong, optical-quality clear polyester, high-grade ultraviolet inhibitors, special laminating and mounting adhesives, and scratch-resistant coating. The product is retrofit to interior glass surfaces for glass breakage protection. When events such as natural disasters, vandalism or bomb blasts cause glass to break, the film’s flexible construction and pressure-sensitive mounting adhesive help hold the shards on the film. This reduces the potential for personal injury and property damage. Safety film is also referred to as anti-shatter film, glass fragment retention film and blast mitigation film.
Ultraviolet curing (commonly known as UV curing) is a photochemical process in which high-intensity ultraviolet light is used to instantly cure or “dry” inks. Offering many advantages over traditional drying methods, UV curing has been shown reduce reject rates, improve scratch and solvent resistance, and facilitate superior bonding.
MIL is the unit of length for 1/1000 of an inch (.001”). Used in expressing thickness of films. 1 MIL = 25 microns.
A film mounting adhesive called PSA (Pressure Sensitive Adhesive) that uses pressure to form a mechanical bond between the film and glass, adhering the film to the glass during installation. Pressure sensitive adhesive is tacky to the touch. All HDClear films incorporate PSA.
HDClear decorative films require specialized tools to install on normal panes of glass, we strongly recommend that the work is undertaken by an approved installer. Special care, cutting, and sizing must be taken on more complicated glass. Without the proper tools and techniques, window filming may bubble or separate from the glass. Window film is typically installed after surfaces are thoroughly cleaned and wiped using a formulated cleaner, scraper blade, and squeegee. A simple soap solution is squirted on the glass before the film layer is applied to allow for a bubble-free installation. Window film is usually installed on the interior side of a window.
After installation, the film may have a "hazy" appearance as well as a few water pockets. Don't be alarmed. The film is going through a drying-out process known as curing. This is to be expected because the barrier nature of the film prevents you from removing 100% of the water/soap solution located underneath the film.
Visible light transmitted is the ratio of visible solar energy (380 – 750nm) that passes through the glazing system to the total visible solar energy falling on the glazing system.
Visible light rejected is the total percentage of visible light reflected by a glazing system that can be seen visually. HDClear performance results includes Interior and exterior VLR specifications on all films.
Ultraviolet rejected is the ratio of ultraviolet solar energy (wavelength of 300 – 380nm) that is transmitted by a glazing system to the total solar ultraviolet energy falling on the glazing system. Note: UV energy is not visible to human eye and is mainly responsible for the degradation and fading of organic matter, upholstery, colors, etc.
Shading coefficient is the ratio of the solar heat gain through a given glazing system to the solar heat gain under the same conditions for clear, unshaded double strength window glass. The lower the shading coefficient number, the better the sun control capability of the glazing system.
Total solar energy rejected is the percentage of incident solar energy rejected by a glazing system which is equal to solar reflectance plus the part of solar absorption which is re-radiated outward.
Glare reduction is the percentage of reduction in visible light transmission through a glazing system without film to that with film.
This measures the force required to separate the glass from the film. The higher the peel strength the more force required to separate the film from the glass. Measured by doing an adhesion pull test (ANSI 297.1) in grams per inch (gr/in) or grams per centimeter (gr/cm).
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D4830 – Standard Test Methons for characterizing thermoplastic fabrics used in window film.
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