Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of the IWFA educational study guide?
To educate window film industry participants and promote window film professionally.
What are the three forms of heat transfer mentioned?
Energy from the sun reaches the earth through conduction.
False
Electromagnetic energy is expressed in units called __________.
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What happens when sunlight strikes glass?
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What is the wavelength range for UV-C rays?
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What type of glass is commonly referred to as annealed float glass?
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What does a low emissivity value indicate about a surface?
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All glass types can be cut to size after heat treatment.
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The three types of ultraviolet rays are UV-A, UV-B, and __________.
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What process is used for making modern glass?
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What is tinted glass primarily used for?
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Which of the following statements are true regarding Low Emissivity (Low E) coatings? (Select all that apply)
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Dynamic coatings change solar performance properties based on temperature.
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Glass can break due to ______ impact or direct pressure.
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Match the following types of coatings with their characteristics:
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What is the primary material used in the production of window films?
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Argon and Krypton gases are used to enhance gas layers in insulated glass units.
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Which types of adhesives are used in window films? (Select all that apply)
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The basic process of ______ is used to apply a metal coating onto polyester film.
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What is one of the main functions of gaskets in glazing systems?
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Triple-pane windows fit into standard openings without modification.
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What are the four basic categories of architectural window films?
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Most clear film products fall into the category of safety films.
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What is the purpose of clear safety films?
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What is the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)?
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Ultraviolet radiation represents about ___% of the energy being transmitted in normal sunlight.
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Which of the following is NOT a type of sputtered film?
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Installing window film on the interior surface of wired glass is safe.
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What does the U-value measure?
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The R-value is a measurement that denotes a material’s ability to act as an _____.
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What health concerns are associated with UV radiation?
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Which of the following factors contributes to fading?
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Study Notes
Foreword
- Educational study guide aims to educate window film industry participants.
- Provides information for both IWFA members and non-members to promote professionalism.
- IWFA offers accreditation tests which enhance dealer locator references.
- Content reviewed by IWFA Technical Committee for technical accuracy.
- Users responsible for ensuring compliance with laws and product applicability.
- IWFA does not manufacture products and disclaims guarantees regarding product performance.
Introduction
- Key challenge in comfort and glare control is sunlight's radiant energy.
- Guide discusses sun's energy journey and interaction with various glass types and coatings.
- Solar energy transfer is driven by radiation from high to low temperature.
Solar Energy Characteristics
- Sun's energy reaches Earth in the form of electromagnetic radiation.
- Wavelength measures the distance of a full cycle in electromagnetic waves, expressed in nanometers.
- Human interaction with electromagnetic spectrum occurs despite waves being invisible.
Measuring Light Energy Wavelengths
- Solar spectrum encompasses visible light (380-780 nm), ultraviolet rays (UV-A, UV-B, UV-C), and infrared rays.
- UV absorption increases with age, protecting eyes from macular degeneration.
- Emissions from infrared rays exceed visible light, with different ranges categorized as Near-IR and Far-IR.
Solar Heat Distribution
- Sun's energy: 44% visible light, 53% infrared, 3% ultraviolet.
- Heat transfer occurs via radiation, conduction, and convection processes.
Heat Transfer Mechanisms
- Conduction: Heat transfer between objects in contact, occurring in solids, liquids, and gases.
- Convection: Heat transfer in liquids or gases driven by fluid motion, either natural or forced.
Thermal Equilibrium
- Heat transfers until temperatures equalize, resulting in thermal equilibrium.
Sunlight Interaction with Glass
- Sunlight striking glass can be reflected, absorbed, or transmitted, with total percentages equaling 100%.
- For 1/8" clear glass: 8% reflects, 9% absorbs, 83% transmits.
Heat Dynamics of Absorbed Energy
- Absorbed energy can flow inward and outward, involving re-radiation and conduction.
- Absorbed sunlight is radiated differently: solar energy re-radiated as Far-IR.
Emissivity of Surfaces
- Emissivity indicates a material's effectiveness in emitting energy as thermal radiation.
- Glass, with an emissivity of 0.84, is not low in emissivity, leading to significant heat transfer through windows.
Review of Solar Terms
- Essential solar terms include Total Solar Reflectance (TSR), Absorptance (TSA), Transmittance (TST), and Visible Light Transmission (VLT).
- UV Transmittance (UVT) and Infrared Transmittance (IRT) measure radiation passing through glazing systems.
History of Glass
- Glass is among the oldest man-made materials, with origins traced back to 7000 BC.
- Regular use began around 3000 BC in Egypt for decorative items.
- Glass production involves heating silica sand to high temperatures until it becomes a clear liquid.
- Natural fulgurites form glass-like structures during lightning strikes, providing insights into glass origins.### History and Development of Glass
- Glass blowing originated in Phoenicia around 50 BC, significantly expanding glass's functional uses.
- Hollow objects like glasses and urns are created by blowing air into molten glass on a hollow tube.
- The Venetians excelled in glass making, introducing additives for flexibility and color.
- Early window glass was created by spinning a glass glob to a flat sheet, resulting in uneven texture and clarity.
Types of Glass
- Classification based on heat during production: annealed glass, heat-treated glass, tempered glass.
- All types start as annealed; only heat-treated and tempered undergo additional processing.
- Annealed float glass is the most common, manufactured by pouring molten glass onto molten tin.
Annealed Glass
- Characters: fragile, breaks into sharp shards, susceptible to impacts, temperature changes.
- Produced with minimal residual stress, leading to easy breakage from various forces.
Heat Treated Glass
- Process: heated around 1150°F and cooled, doubling strength compared to annealed glass.
- Resistant to impacts and thermal stress but maintains original properties.
- Defined by surface compression, enhancing strength.
Tempered Glass
- Produced by heating to about 1200°F and rapidly cooling, making it four times stronger than annealed glass.
- Breaks into small fragments instead of sharp shards, ideal for areas with human impact.
- Highly resistant to thermal shock fractures due to temperature differentials.
Chemically Strengthened Glass
- Result of submersion in a molten salt bath, altering surface ion composition.
- Provides strength similar to heat-treated glass, commonly used in application requiring thin, strong sheets.
Identifying Glass Types
- Tempered glass marked with corner etching for safety.
- Use polarized film to distinguish between annealed (neutral) and heat-strengthened (mottled) glass.
Glass Constructions
- Monolithic glass: single flat piece, can be annealed, heat-treated, or tempered.
- Laminated glass: two or more glass layers bonded with an interlayer, offering enhanced strength and safety.
Non-Clear Glass Types
- Tinted glass: surface coloration provides solar control, privacy, used mainly for aesthetics.
- Reflective coated glass: metallic coatings alter light transmission and reflectivity, available in various colors.
Dynamic Coatings
- Coatings that adjust solar performance based on temperature (thermochromic), electrical stimulus (electrochromic), or light (photochromic).
Glass Breakage Factors
- Breakage causes include human impact, forced entry, windstorms, earthquakes, and thermal stress fractures.
- Nickel-sulfide inclusions lead to spontaneous breaks in tempered glass.
- Thermal breakage is common, caused by uneven temperature distribution, particularly in fluctuating climates.
Glazing Systems
- Composed of framing systems, glazing materials, and actual glass.
- Framing systems vary by application, serving to support, insulate, and protect glass.
Glazing Materials
- Gaskets: rubbery materials for sealing, available in solid or foam sections.
- Sealants: different materials like silicones and polyurethanes used in applications based on environmental and thermal needs.
- Tapes: function similarly to gaskets and sealants, often used in window designs for effective sealing and insulation.### Framing Systems and Window Construction
- Tape is often used as a backup to sealant in framing systems, providing temporary cushioning during sealant curing or before vinyl gasket application.
- Windows fall under fenestration products, which include any building openings like doors and skylights.
- Various window configurations exist, including standard double-hung, casement, and non-operable commercial windows.
Types of Windows
Single Pane Windows
- Consist of one sheet of glass; previously the norm in buildings.
- Highly energy inefficient, despite allowing ample light and views.
Dual Pane Windows (Insulated Glass Units, IGUs)
- Comprise two glass sheets separated by a constant airspace.
- Modern IGUs often utilize coated glass for improved energy performance.
- Spacers and edge seals are used to create airspace and enhance insulation.
- High-performance IGUs minimize heat transfer using advanced technologies such as thermally broken framing.
- Inert gases like Argon and Krypton can replace air in the space for better insulation; they slow convective heat movement.
Triple Pane Windows
- Include three panes of glass, which further boosts performance by reducing convection and conduction.
- Often more cumbersome as they don’t fit standard openings, though newer designs allow for retrofitting.
IGU Seal Failure
- Common issue leading to "fogging" from moisture between glass panes.
- Seal failures occur due to desiccant saturation, aging, or poor design trapping moisture.
- Modern IGUs typically use dual seals for greater reliability.
Vacuum Insulated Glazing (VIG)
- Employs a vacuum between glass layers instead of air or gases, enhancing thermal performance.
- Newer thin versions allow compatibility with existing window frames.
Solar Control Window Film
- Developed as an energy-efficient solution for improving existing properties without replacing windows.
- Early films from the 1960s were made with metallized aluminum coatings, primarily for reflecting solar radiation.
- Benefits for commercial buildings include occupant comfort, cost savings, fade protection, glare control, and aesthetic improvements.
- Residential applications focus on comfort, glare reduction, and protecting furnishings from UV damage.
Window Film Manufacturing Principles
- Window film production involves a conversion process combining various layers and raw materials like polyester, metal coatings, and adhesives.
- High-quality films typically require cleanroom environments for production to maintain optical clarity.
Raw Materials
Polyester Film
- A laminated substrate developed in the 1920s, offering durability, flexibility, and high clarity.
- Measured in mils or microns; standard thicknesses include 1 mil (25 microns) and ½ mil (12 microns).
Coatings and Coloration
- Color processes include dyeing, surface coating, and infusion methods.
- UV absorbers incorporated into films protect against UV degradation and fade.
Vacuum Deposition Processes
- Metallizing involves coating polyester film with aluminum using low-pressure vapor deposition.
- Sputtering uses negatively charged gas molecules to dislodge metal atoms onto the film, allowing diverse metal compositions.
Scratch Resistant Coatings (SRC)
- Coatings are applied to protect against abrasion and wear but are not resistant to gouging.
- Films are tested for scratch resistance, typically via the Taber Abrader Test.
Adhesives
- Two primary types: pressure-sensitive and water-activated adhesives.
- Installation adhesives bond films to glass differently, affecting clarity and longevity; PS offers mechanical bonding while water-activated provides stronger chemical bonding.
Performance Coatings
- Have enhanced solar properties using IR nanoparticle coatings, improving heat absorption.
- Release liners protect the mounting adhesive until installation is complete.
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Description
This educational guide is designed for window film industry participants, providing information to promote window film professionally and competently. It also offers accreditation tests through the IWFA education system.
