What is Light-shielding film / Black lubrication coating?

The matte black coating has a high matting effect. The black lubrication coating is one with black coating film and a finish that suppresses gloss by combining the lubrication pigment and matting pigment.

The matte/black lubrication coating is recommended mainly for optical industries. For example, in the case of using it for optical devices, sliding performance as well as prevention of diffused reflections are imparted and will provide smoothness of movement in the contact or moving zones between components. It also prevents the phenomenon called halation, which tends to occur in inspection equipment using cameras where the surrounding area is blurred white around areas exposed to strong light.

Case examples of adopting matte/black lubrication coating in optical industries

How is the matte/black lubrication coating used in the optical industries? Practical case examples of adoption are introduced here.

Light-shielding film / Matte coating for lens

In the optical industries, to eliminate the impact of lights, special coatings are required. To resolve such issues, matte coating and the coating of lens, anti-reflective films, are effective.

Drilube developed a coating agent that can form a coating film for optical devices. Here, the effect and practical case examples of adoption are introduced.

Effect of Matte Coating / Lens Anti-Reflective Film by Drilube

Through the application of matte coating or lens anti-reflective film on the surface of parts, the effects of reduction in gloss and prevention of reflection of light are provided.

Anti-reflective film for lens has the effect of reducing the diffuse reflection of light that occurs inside of the lens. The Drilube’s lens anti-reflective film complies with the REACH regulations and other strict environmental restrictions and is a coating used with confidence.

Case Examples of Adopting Matte Coating / Lens Anti-Reflective Film

A matte coating is typically used on parts that require low light reflectance. Specific case examples include aperture blades of digital cameras and security cameras, camera periphery of smartphones, microscopes, and vision testers.

Anti-reflective film for lenses is applicable to the lens periphery of optical cameras, on-board cameras, monitoring cameras, and projectors. The compatible substrates are glasses and resins, such as polycarbonate.

Drilube’s lens anti-reflective film can be carefully coated on the fine parts as well using an ink brush, brush, and sponge, and baking is possible by low temperature baking. Coating is processed also at room temperature by drying with some prolonged time.

Black lubrication coating

In the optical industries, a black lubrication coating is also used in some cases. The following is an introduction to the effects of DriLube’s black lubrication coating and case examples of adoption.

Effects of Drilube Black Lubrication Coating

By coating the surface of parts, a black lubrication coating can be formed as the name suggests. The coating contains solid lubricant substances, which gives slipping performance to the surface of parts, thus resulting in smooth movement between parts and reducing the impact of friction.

The main aim of a black lubrication coating is to provide lubricating performance. For this reason, the matte effect is not as significant as that of a matte coating and is characterized by a semi-glossy finish. Specific gloss levels will be explained in more detail in a later part.

Adoption Case Examples of Black Lubrication Coating

The black lubrication coating is used on areas where slidability (sliding performance) is required while appropriately reducing gloss. Specific adoption case examples include the lens barrels of digital cameras, which require smooth movement, and the shutter periphery, which moves at high speed.

The coating prevents the stick-slip phenomenon (chattering and rubbing noise) caused by friction. It also has a certain degree of matting effect, thus the light reflection suppressing effect is also expected.

Other Matting Treatments

Drilube has also developed other coating treatments that give matte effects for optical applications. The matte treatment methods are the black electrostatic flocking and matte electrodeposition coating. The following are the features of each and case examples of adoption.

Electrostatic flocking

The black electrostatic flocking is a treatment method in which fine short black fibers (piles) are implanted upright on the substrate surface utilizing a space where the electric field with potential is applied. Various properties can be added, such as light-shielding, non-slip, sound deadening, chattering noise prevention, moisture proofing, and heat insulation.

The treatment also gives it a velour-like appearance, which is attractive as well because it can add a design element to the product. Processable even on sophisticated shapes, it is mainly adopted for interior parts of cameras, camera lens hoods, and other elements. Black electrostatic flocking is available at Drilube (Thailand) as contracted processing.

Matte electrodeposition coating

A matte electrodeposition coating is a method that applies the matte coating on a surface by applying a voltage of a different polarity to an electrode and an object to coat and making a DC current flow while filling with paint between electrode and the object. Drilube uses a composite polymer emulsion to form the matte coating.

What is the Jet-Black Industrial Paint LubBlack?

Drilube has developed the jet-black industrial paint LubBlack for optical devices. LubBlack is a paint that simultaneously provides both lubrication performance and a matte effect by the combination of pigments having a high matting effect with the binder.

The paint is a water-based paint that features friendliness to the human body and the environment with low emission of volatile toxic substances.

Furthermore, since there is less fear of chalking when touching the coated surface, it is easier to maintain the beautiful appearance of the product. A jet-black matte finish with suppressed whiteness is available, which is also effective in preventing the diffuse reflection in optical devices and halation in image inspection equipment.

Gloss Level Guidelines for Matte Degree

Of course it depends on the object, but when applying a matte coating, choose a paint with a high degree of a matte finish level. The standard for this is the gloss level.

The gloss level is an index that indicates the returning light level by reflection when a light is projected onto a plane at a certain angle. It may be understood that the higher reflection rate of paint results in higher gloss, and vice versa, the paint with a lower rate has a higher matting effect.

The reference values of the gloss level of LubBlack are 0.2% at 60 degrees, and 2.8% at 85 degrees if these are compared with other Drilube products.

Although other products also have good matting effect, the gloss level of LubBlack is particularly low, indicating that it has a very high matting effect. Above figures are for reference only, but where a high matting level is required, the LubBlack is most suited.

Drilube is strongly recommended for the matte/black lubrication coating!

We introduced the features of matte/black lubrication coating, case examples of its adoption in the optical industries, and Drilube’s jet-black industrial paint LubBlack. In optical devices, such as digital cameras, security cameras, and microscopes, it is important to apply a matte coating to the parts to solve light issues. This will suppress the impact of light.

In addition, the LubBlack demonstrates a high matting effect. Furthermore, it is featured with the environmentally friendly water-based paint that does not use oils and greases. If you are looking for a high performance jet-black industrial paint, we strongly recommend consideration of Drilube’s LubBlack.