Substrate Materials

Polycarbonate (PC)

Aqueous Anti-Fog Coating will render a surface permanently fog-free. Two-part coating system requires pre-mixing and must be diluted to work properly. Suitable for dip, flow and spin application. Vistex is a cross-linked hydrophilic polymer composition that causes condensed water droplets to spread evenly. Coating will not saturate and fail under very hu-mid conditions, as will many other anti-fog materials. Highly durable when wet, anti-fog properties are retained even after repeated washing with commer-cial glass and lens cleaners.

• Outstanding Chemical

Resistance

• Extremely Hydrophilic,

Permanent Anti-Fog

• Water: Washable, Soakable &

Sheeting Anti-Fog Properties

• Exceptional Optical Clarity

• Waterborne & Non-Hazardous

• Will not Discolor with

Exposure to Sunlight

BENEFITS

• Can be stored at room tem-

perature

• Long product service life re-

duces the need for frequent

tank change outs.

• Streamlines manufacturing,

enhancing yields and profita-

bility.

Premium Chemical Resistant Anti-Fog Coating

Technical Data Sheet US Patent 5262475

1/4

Product Applications

• Swim Goggles & Diving Masks

• Windows & Mirrors

• Molded Polycarbonate Lenses

Vistex 105-20 Anti-Fog coating delivers best-in-class chemical and impact resistance. Cured coating offers excellent clarity and will not discolor with exposure to sunlight. Chemical resistance outstand-ing, unaffected by and protects substrates from, brief exposure to most solvents. Coated sheets may be drape formed, embossed or heat pressed. Scratch resistance is slightly better than untreated plastics, superficial scratches that occur when dry will permanently heal when exposed to moisture. Where scratch resistances is critical, contact FSI Coating Technologies, Inc. for information on Visgard® Coatings.

Part A Part B

Appearance Colorless to Pale Amber

Clear to Slightly Hazy

Solids Content (by weight)

13% 27%

Solvents Water/N-methyl

pyrrolidone

Viscosity (Brookfield)

75 — 150 cps 10 — 25 cps

Physical Characteristics

Mixing Ratio Mix 10 parts A with 1 part B, stirring thoroughly with a low speed mixer to prevent air entrapment. It is best to mix and dilute 12 to 24 hours prior to use.

For most applications, the mixed anti-fog solution should be diluted to reduce the solids content to 10% (from an initial 14%). A mixture of isopropanol (IPA) and water is particularly effective as the alcohol releases trapped air, retards the development of foam and promotes uniform wetting of low energy surfaces. Commercial de-foamers must be avoided. Weigh ingredients in separate clean containers first, then add dilution solvents to the Vistex mixture, and not the reverse. Vistex compositions have limited tolerance for IPA and other non-aqueous solvents. The total concentration should not exceed 30% by weight for most formulations. Above this level the solution may become cloudy as sensitive materials begin to precipitate, depending on the amount of water in the formulation. Vistex solutions can be diluted with large amounts of a solvent mix contain-ing 67% IPA and 33% distilled or de-ionized water.

The curing agent (Part B) may become turbid or material may settle at temperatures below 55°F (13°C). Always allow solutions to warm to room temper-ature before use. If either component is frozen, it will be fully usable after all solid material re-dissolves to a clear solution. Other useful solvents include methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), isobutanol, normal butanol and tertiary buta-nol. Water and MEK are most effective at reducing viscosity. MEK affords the best combination of viscos-ity reduction, wetting and foam prevention. Howev-er, it may attack sensitive substrates if used in con-centrations over 10%. Adding IPA to a given formula-tion will not appreciably affect viscosity and the butyl alcohols will actually increase viscosity.

TRANSPORTATION & IN-TRANSIT PRODUCT CONDITIONS Product can be stored in ambient conditions during shipment from FSICT to the customer’s site. PRODUCT SHIPPING & AVAILA-BILITY Typical lead-time for shipment of Vistex 105-20 is four (4) weeks from confirmation of a purchase order. FSICT provides several shipping options. Please contact an FSICT representative to deter-mine which option best fits your needs. All orders are shipped F.O.B. Additional shipment charges including customs clear-ance and fees (if applicable) are the responsibility of the custom-er.

H E A LT H & S A F E T Y I N F O R M A T I O N Before using this product, read and understand the Safety Data Sheet, SDS, which provides infor-mation on health, physical, and environmental hazards, handling precautions and first aid recom-mendations. For a copy of an SDS, contact an FSICT sales or customer service representative.

HANDLING & SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Do not take internally. Observe proper industrial hygiene, includ-ing splash goggles and impervious gloves. Provide adequate ventila-tion. Avoid solution contact with strong acids or alkalis. Dispose of solution and clean-up wash water in accordance with local, state and federal regulations. This product is not a hazardous waste under RCRA guidelines. Shipping is not regulated by the US Depart-ment of Transportation. Consult the SDS for further information, or call FSI Coating Technologies Inc. at 1-949-540-1140.

Application & Cure Requirements Recommended dry coating thickness is 3 to 5 mi-crons. Thinner coatings will be less resistant to abra-sion and may have reduced anti-fog properties. Theoretical coverage ranges from 750 to 1,600 sq. ft. per gallon (18 to 39 M² per ltr). Individual lenses are best coated at 9 to 10% solids. For larger parts, an 8 to 9% concentration may be necessary to provide low viscosity and prevent exces-sive buildup toward the bottom of the coated article. Coatings which are thicker than 0.5 mils (12.5 microns) will take longer to cure and may not devel-op full hardness. High humidity may also contribute to haze, notable at the top of coated parts. Proper curing is essential to the coatings perfor-mance. The use of temperature indicating labels is strongly recommended. A minimum surface temper-ature of 257°F (125°C) is necessary for proper curing to take place. Complete cure requires: Cure time depends on a number of factors, including the mass of the coated article and the efficiency of the oven. A yellow discoloration indicates the coating has been over cured and exposure time should be reduced. Alternatively, coated parts may be dried for 10 min. at a low temperature (e.g. 140°F, 60°C) and

subsequently cured at higher temperatures. This is particularly useful for lenses which are highly stressed. The time interval for complete cure must not exceed 3 to 5 hours. Degree of cure can be evaluated by scrubbing 25 times with a fine (white) Scotch Brite® Pad and water. The coating should not smear or abrade from the surface. If more than a few scratches show, the coating is either under cured or it is too thin (less than 3 microns). Thin coatings usually have an irides-cent (rainbow) appearance. Such coatings may seem to be under cured when they are actually fully cured.

2/4

Suggested Starting Formulation

Vistex: (Part A)

100 Parts % NV = 10%

Curing Agent: (Part B)

10 Viscosity = 50 cps

IPA 30

Water 14

Time Temperatures

30 to 45 min. 266°F (130°C)

10 to 20 min. 302°F (150°C)

Application & Cure Requirements (Cont.) Flow and dip application techniques are suitable. For spraying, Vistex solution should be diluted to 5 or 6% solids. The high dilution ratio is offset by flash evapo-ration from atomized droplets. Small amounts of butanol or diacetone alcohol can be used to prevent humidity blush and to slow evaporation so droplets have a chance to flow together. At 6% solids, do not exceed 30% organic total solvent. A white or hazy precipitate indicates the system does not have enough water to keep all materials in solution.

Be careful to prevent contamination by grease, oils and other lubricants, especially silicones. Solvents other than those mentioned on above must be fully tested for their effect on anti-fog performance and degree of cure.

Substrates The preferred substrate is polycarbonate. Excellent wetting, flow and adhesion are usually obtained without the use of primers or additives. Some sub-strates such as glass, metal and metalized plastics may require pre-treatment with a primer solution to promote adhesion. Articles to be coated must be free of surface contamination (e.g. from oils, mold releases and masking residues). Plastics other than polycarbonate can be coated as long as the particular material can tolerate baking temperatures of 266°F (130°C) or higher. The coating and curing operations may reduce impact resistance of polycarbonate and other plastics. Usually this effect is minor. However, it is essential that comparative tests be included in any evaluation program. Coated articles may be subsequently drape formed or hot pressed. However, the coating will crack if elongation exceeds 25% to 30%, as in vacuum forming operations, and anti-fog will be lost in those areas. The coating will tolerate brief exposure to temperatures over 350°F (175°C) and exhibits long-term stability at 140°F (60°C).

WARRANTY & LIABILITY LIMITATIONS This document does not constitute any warranty or representation regarding FSICT’s product. Please refer to FISCT Coating Technologies Standard Terms and Conditions or to your purchase agreement with FSICT for the warranty coverage of FSICT’s product. TRADEMARKS Fantastik® is a registered trademark of S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Formula 409® is a registered trade-mark of The Clorox Company. Scotch Brite® is a registered trade-mark of the 3M Corporation. TopJob® is a registered trademark of Proctor and Gamble Company. Vistex® is and Visgard® are regis-tered trademarks of FSI Coating Technologies, Inc.

Contact FSI Coating Technologies, Inc. for infor-mation on coatings for acrylics and other plastics with lower heat tolerance.

Maintenance & Care Properly cured Vistex coatings will usually outlast the coated item. Resistance to oil based stains is excel-lent. Water-soluble stains may penetrate the coating if left in contact with it for an extended period of time. Grease and oils will contaminate the surface and impair anti-fog effectiveness. These can be removed with a strong grease cutting detergent such as Top Job®, Fantastik® or Formula 409®. Coated articles should be cleaned regularly to prevent accu-mulation of oily deposits. Avoid using abrasive clean-ers or pads. It is normal for the coating to pass through a tacky phase as it dries. To clean, wipe with a wet cloth or paper towel and allow to dry. Do not try to rub to dryness. This will leave smudges and will necessi-tate cleaning again.

Scratch Resistance The scratch resistance of Vistex is superior to untreated polycarbonate, however it is not designed to perform like silicone or acrylic hard coats. Superfi-cial scratches caused by fingernails, harsh fabrics or other abrasive materials, such as Velcro, can be permanently healed by wiping with a damp cloth or by breathing on the scratched coated surface. The coating will not crack, peel or flake as it ages.

Chemical Resistance Vistex coatings are unaffected by brief exposure to: Methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, diacetone alcohol, toluene, hexane, gasoline, glycol esters, ethyl acetate & ammonium hydroxide solution. Avoid exposure to strong acids and alkalis. Water and lower alcohols will soften the coating and make it more susceptible to gouging by hard objects. After drying, normal hardness will return.

Clean-Up Equipment is best cleaned with soap and water or a water and isopropanol solution. Removal of dried coatings may require a strong polar solvent such as N-methyl pyrrolidone or diacetone alcohol. When fully cured, it may be impossible to remove the coating except by mechanical abrasion.

3/4

Suggested Formula at 5.5% Solids

105-20A 100 Isopropanol 75

105-20B 10 Propylene glycol

methyl ether

15

Distilled Water

80

Contact Information FSI Coating Technologies Corporate Office - N.A. 45 Parker, Suite 100 Irvine, California 92618 USA Tel: +1-949-540-1140 Fax: +1-949-540-1150 technicalsupport@fsicti.com SDC Technologies - Americas Corporate Headquarters 45 Parker, Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92618 USA 800-272-7681 (Toll Free USA) Tel: +1-714-939-8300 technicalsupport.ca@sdctech.com SDC Technologies - Europe Unit 6 John Baker Close Llantarnam Industrial Park Cwmbran, Torfaen NP44 3AX, United Kingdom Tel: +44-1633-627030 technicalsupport.eu@sdctech.com SDC Technologies - China No. 1585 Gumei Road Xuhui District Shanghai 200233 PR China Tel: +86-21-61995035 customercare.cn@sdctech.com SDC Technologies Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. 27 Tuas South Street 1 Singapore 638035 Tel: +65-6210-6355 customercare.ap@sdctech.com

fsicti.com

4/4

relative humidity. Materials coated with Vistex will remain free of fog indefinitely. Untreated plastics or glass will fog in a few seconds. Inferior anti-fog coatings may fog immediately, or remain clear for a short time until they become saturated.

Durability Scratch resistance is superior to most untreated plastics. Superficial scratches in the coating that do appear when it’s dry will heal themselves when moistened in water or by breathing on the surface. The following data were obtained using a white Scotch Brite Abrasive Pad at 500 gr. per cm as measured by a UV spectrophotometer.

*Obvious impairment of clarity

©2018 FSI Coating Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. FSI Coating Tech-nologies is

Shelf-Life Vistex solutions will remain usable for one year or longer, if the two parts are kept separate. A light, fluffy precipitate may develop on standing in Part A, and this can produce slight haze or particulate con-tamination in cured coatings. Usually this does not become apparent for several months at least. If it does appear, precipitate should be re-dissolved by warming briefly to about 150°F (65°C). After mixing Parts A and B, the shelf life will range from six (6) to twelve (12) months depending on the amount of dilution. Shelf life can be extended by refrigeration, but do not allow the material to freeze. Test old solutions before use. Any mixture that has become milky or contains white insoluble precipi-tate must be discarded.

Suggested Tests for Vistex Materials Degree of Cure: Pencil hardness when wet should be 5B or greater. Cure can be evaluated by scrubbing with a white Scotch Brite pad (3M Co.) and water. After 25 rubs, the coating may be scratched considerably, but should not be abraded from the substrate. If the coating turns milky or smears when rubbed with a wet cloth, it is grossly under cured or has been im-properly formulated. Coatings that are less than 3 microns (0.12 mils) thick will have less resistance to abrasion and reduced anti-fog performance. Such coatings usually have an iridescent (rainbow) appearance in reflected light. Anti-Fog Test #1: The test surface is immersed in distilled or deionized water for 1 hour. It is then placed faced down over a container of warm water (122°F/50°C) so as to completely cover the opening. Vistex coatings may exhibit a ring of condensation as the coating hydrates, but will remain clear indefinite-ly thereafter. When sufficient moisture has con-densed to form large water drops, the test is com-plete. Anti-Fog Test#2: The test surface is immersed in distilled or de-ionized water for at least 24 hours, removed and allowed to dry at least 1 hour. The sample is then cooled in a refrigerator to approxi-mately 70°F (4°C) and 70% to 80%

Visible Light Transmission (440nm)

Abrasive Cy-cles

Vistex Uncoated Polycarbonate

0 90.7 89.4

2 90.3 87.0

5 89.8 85.4*

10 89.0 83.0*

25 88.8 80.0*