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Antiglare films resist graffiti as well

A MacDermid Autotype product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 18, 2006

MacDermid Autotype has introduced what is believed to be the world's first films for display applications that combine both antiglare and antigraffiti properties in a single material.

The leading global developer and manufacturer of high performance films and coatings, MacDermid Autotype, has introduced what is believed to be the world's first films for display applications that combine both antiglare and antigraffiti properties in a single material.

The films are called Sigmagraf Anti-Glare and incorporate a robust polyester base protected by a tough hardcoat upper, or outer, surface layer with an inkjet printable underside layer, for reverse printing.

This creates a material that is dimensionally stable under a variety of storage, production and end-use environments, yet can easily be handled and printed using standard equipment.

Two different inkjet primers are offered, the Plus coating is suitable for aqueous pigment inkjet, and the UVjet primer is recommended for UV curing inkjet printers.

As the hardcoat layer is formulated to eliminate the need for filler materials, levels of image definition and colour rendition are far higher and brighter than many competing materials.

The formulation of the hardcoat layer also plays a crucial role in providing the unique combination of antiglare and antigraffiti properties.

To eliminate the problem of glare, which is a common phenomenon with many display films, MacDermid Autotype has modified the surface characteristics of the hardcoat, producing a nano-roughened finish that reflects less that 55% of light at 60 degrees angle.

Many competing materials will reflect over 90% of light at 60 degrees, creating glare that effectively blinds the viewer from the image.

Similarly, the hardcoat surface layer has been specially developed to be scratch, scuff and abrasion proof.

Graffiti paint can easily be cleaned with conventional isopropanol solvents or aqueous detergents, which can be used without leaving any cleaning stain residues or marks.

Although graffiti can be removed from some competing films, the cleaning process often scratches the surface, and repeated cleaning will quickly require the display to be replaced.

This makes Sigmagraf Anti-Glare ideal for displays and graphics that are in high traffic areas or are prone to abuse.

Sigmagraf Anti-Glare has been awarded antigraffiti resistance accreditation to the standard ASTM D6587 test, based on extensive laboratory tests.

Testers were impressed that even with repeated cleaning cycles the Sigmagraf Anti-Glare films were left graffiti and scratch-free throughout.

Find out more about this article. Request a brochure, download technical specifications and request samples here.

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