- Crizal
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Crizal Logo
Crizal is the brand name of a Canadian range of optical lens coatings manufactured by French Essilor. Its products were created to allow greater transparency in lenses by repelling rain and being anti-reflective, smudge-resistant, dust-resistant and scratch-resistant[citation needed].
Contents
Technology
The Crizal technology was developed using technology from the micro-electronics, flat screen and fiber optics industries[1]. The original Crizal coating specialized in anti-reflective technology, smudge resistance and scratch resistance.
Anti-Smudge Technology[2]
The anti-smudge layer on the Crizal coating was developed by using perfluorinated polymers which were applied directly after the last antireflection layer using a vacuum deposition process.
Anti-Scratch Technology[3]
The anti-scratch layer is provided by a double varnish that involves the introduction of a shock-absorbing layer.
Crizal Products
1993: Crizal
The original Crizal was an anti-reflective, scratch resistant and anti-smudge coating.
2003: Crizal Alizé[4]
The Crizal Alizé coating marked a serious improvement on the original Crizal's anti-smudge and anti-dust properties[citation needed]. It contains a high proportion of perfluorinated molecules to fill in the microscopic cracks on the suface of the lens, making it much smoother. This translates into a better performance against dust and smudges.
Crizal Alizé with AST[5]
The Crizal Alizé with AST coating was launched in March 2006 on the Canadian market. Combined to the original Crizal's anti-smudge and anti-dust properties, Essilor's AST technology provided an improved level of anti-reflection.
The AST technology was developed by preparing the lens surface through ion bombardment to ensure a better adhesion of the molecules that make up the anti-reflection coating layers. By using this process, it was possible to introduce an ultra-thin conductive layer to neutralize the electrostatic charge on the surface of the lens so that it would not attract dust particles after cleaning.
Crizal Avancé with Scotchgard Protector
In 2008, Essilor of America (the American subsidiary of Essilor International) signed a licensing agreement with 3M to market a new generation of the Crizal Alizé[6], called Crizal Avancé with Scotchgard Protector. This new coating combined the anti-reflective, durability and ease of cleaning properties of Crizal Alizé with the protective qualities of Scotchgard Protector.
2009: Crizal Forte[7]
The Crizal Forte coating introduced a new layer of coating between the already existing anti-scratch and anti-reflection which was done to enhance Scratch resistance keeping a high transmittance of light (99%). It also added a new and improved version of its anti-smudge layer.
2011: Crizal goes on TV
References
- ^ http://www.essilor.com/Crizal,191
- ^ Stephenson, Louise & St-Jean, Danielle. "Lens coatings: How the companies make them rock hard and crystal clear" Optikmag, February 1997.
- ^ Idem.
- ^ Wilkinson, Peter. "Coatings and tints: Product availability and choice". Optometry Today, February 24th 1996.
- ^ Stephenson, Louise & St-Jean, Danielle. "Lens coatings: How the companies make them rock hard and crystal clear" Optikmag, February 2007.
- ^ "Essilor licenses Scotchgard brand from 3M for new Crizal lens" VMail, January 7, 1998.
- ^ "Nouveau traitement antireflet pour Essilor" Les Echos, April 7, 2009.
External links
Categories:- Lenses
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