N-1180-50 is a nano-scale hollow silica solution supplied by Shenzhen U-Sunny Technology Co., Ltd. The product uses a hollow structure to achieve a lower refractive index, while its nano-scale dispersion is designed to help coatings maintain good transparency. It is suitable for optical coating and optical film applications such as anti-reflective coatings, anti-reflection films, fiber coatings, bonding and coupling materials, and UV-curable optical film nanocoatings.
This article summarizes the key parameters, main benefits, three primary application directions, and compatibility information for N-1180-50 to help formulators and material selection engineers evaluate the product more efficiently.
1. What Is N-1180-50?
N-1180-50 is a nano-silica solution described as a nano-scale hollow silica solution. Its hollow structure is intended to provide a lower refractive index, and its nano-scale particle dispersion is intended to support coating transparency. The product appears as a translucent liquid, contains 50 wt% nanosilica, and uses PGME as the solvent.
From an application standpoint, N-1180-50 is typically considered for use with low-refractive-index host resins in optical coating systems where refractive index and transparency are important.
2. Key Parameters of N-1180-50
| Property | Typical Product Information |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Translucent liquid |
| Nanosilica content | 50 wt% |
| Viscosity at 25°C | 50–150 mPa·s |
| Solvent PGME | 45–50 wt% |
| Refractive index nD25nD25 | 1.18 |
| Relative density | 0.85–0.95 |
| Nanoparticle size | 40–50 nm |
These values are typical product information. For actual formulation work, confirm the latest supplier information and validate performance in the specific resin system and coating process.
3. Main Benefits of N-1180-50
3.1 Low Refractive Index
N-1180-50 has a refractive index nD25nD25 of 1.18. Its hollow nano-silica structure is designed to provide a lower refractive index, making it suitable for combination with low-refractive-index host resins in optical coating formulations.
3.2 Nano-Scale Particle Size and Transparency
The nanoparticle size of N-1180-50 is 40–50 nm. The product information states that the nano-scale dispersion gives the coating very good transparency, with transparency listed at >95%. This characteristic is relevant for optical film materials and nanocoatings where transparency is required.
3.3 Relatively High Silica Content
N-1180-50 contains 50 wt% nanosilica, which allows formulators to introduce a relatively high proportion of nano-silica into a formulation.
3.4 Compatibility with Multiple Systems
N-1180-50 is miscible with conventional monomers and with ester, ketone, and aromatic hydrocarbon solvents. It is also compatible with polyester, epoxy, polyurethane, phosphate ester, and acrylate systems, which can support formulation adjustment.
3.5 Silica-Related Physical, Optical, and Chemical Properties
N-1180-50 can be used in UV-curable optical film nanocoatings and provides silica-related physical, optical, and chemical properties. Its main formulation value is associated with low refractive index and nanocoating additive applications.
4. Three Main Application Directions for N-1180-50
Based on the refractive index, particle size, silica content, and compatibility profile of N-1180-50, its applications are mainly concentrated in optical coatings and optical film materials. The following three application directions are particularly relevant for formulation evaluation.
4.1 Anti-Reflective Coatings and Anti-Reflection Films
The hollow structure of N-1180-50 provides a low refractive index of 1.18. For anti-reflective coatings and anti-reflection films, where refractive index control is important, N-1180-50 can be used together with low-refractive-index host resins as the nano-silica component in the coating formulation.
The nanoparticle size of 40–50 nm is also relevant. The product information indicates that nano-scale dispersion supports very good coating transparency, with transparency listed at >95%. In anti-reflective and anti-reflection applications, particle size and dispersion state can affect coating transparency, haze, and optical performance, so this nano-scale characteristic is useful during formulation screening.
In practice, anti-reflective performance depends not only on the refractive index of the nano-silica but also on the host resin refractive index, coating thickness, coating process, curing conditions, and interface structure. Therefore, the addition level and process conditions of N-1180-50 should be evaluated through refractive index matching, film thickness adjustment, and dispersion stability testing in the specific system.
4.2 UV-Curable Optical Film Nanocoatings and Optical Display Film Materials
N-1180-50 can be used in UV-curable optical film nanocoatings, where its low refractive index is the main formulation feature. It can serve as a nanocoating additive in combination with low-refractive-index host resins for optical film nanocoatings and various optical display film materials.
In terms of compatibility, N-1180-50 is miscible with conventional monomers and with ester, ketone, and aromatic hydrocarbon solvents. It is also compatible with polyester, epoxy, polyurethane, phosphate ester, and acrylate systems. This compatibility profile provides formulators with flexibility when selecting monomers, solvents, and resin combinations for UV-curable optical film coatings.
When N-1180-50 is used in UV-curable optical film nanocoatings, several factors should be considered, including dispersion stability in the UV system, compatibility with photoinitiators and oligomers, cured coating transparency, and surface appearance. The optimal addition level should be verified experimentally according to coating thickness, optical targets, viscosity, and curing conditions rather than scaled up from a single parameter.
4.3 Fiber Coatings and Bonding/Coupling Optical Materials
N-1180-50 is also relevant for fiber coatings and bonding/coupling optical materials. As a nano-silica solution, it can be used as the nano-silica component in these optical material formulations, introducing silica-related physical, optical, and chemical properties. Its low refractive index is also useful in optical coating or coupling material systems where refractive index adjustment is required.
From a compatibility perspective, N-1180-50 is compatible with polyester, epoxy, polyurethane, phosphate ester, and acrylate polymers, and it is miscible with conventional monomers and ester, ketone, and aromatic hydrocarbon solvents. This provides a useful reference for resin selection and solvent adjustment in fiber coating and bonding/coupling formulations.
However, fiber coating and bonding/coupling applications have specific requirements for viscosity, curing conditions, interfacial adhesion, optical coupling performance, and long-term stability. The recommended addition level and process conditions for N-1180-50 should therefore be confirmed through testing in the actual resin system, curing method, and application environment.
5. Compatibility and Formulation Adjustment
N-1180-50 covers common monomer, solvent, and polymer systems in terms of compatibility:
Monomers: miscible with conventional monomers;
Solvents: miscible with ester, ketone, and aromatic hydrocarbon solvents;
Polymers: compatible with polyester, epoxy, polyurethane, phosphate ester, and acrylate systems.
This compatibility profile indicates that N-1180-50 can be adapted to a range of formulation systems. However, the specific addition level, dispersion process, and curing conditions should still be verified experimentally according to the resin system, coating thickness, and optical requirements.
6. Packaging and Product Information
N-1180-50 is available in:
1 kg plastic pails;
20 kg plastic pails.
More detailed application references and the MSDS are available from the supplier. Product website: www.uvsino.com.
7. FAQ
Q1: What type of product is N-1180-50?
N-1180-50 is a nano-scale hollow silica solution with 50 wt% nanosilica, PGME as the solvent, and a translucent liquid appearance.
Q2: What is the refractive index of N-1180-50?
The refractive index nD25nD25 of N-1180-50 is 1.18.
Q3: What applications is N-1180-50 suitable for?
Main application directions include anti-reflective coatings, anti-reflection films, fiber coatings, bonding and coupling, optical display film materials, UV-curable optical film nanocoatings, and nanocoating additives.
Q4: What is the particle size of N-1180-50?
The nanoparticle size of N-1180-50 is 40–50 nm.
Q5: Which resin systems is N-1180-50 compatible with?
N-1180-50 is compatible with polyester, epoxy, polyurethane, phosphate ester, and acrylate systems, and it is miscible with conventional monomers and ester, ketone, and aromatic hydrocarbon solvents.
8. Summary
N-1180-50 nano-silica solution can be summarized by its key features: a hollow structure for low refractive index, with a refractive index of 1.18; a nanoparticle size of 40–50 nm, which supports coating transparency; a nanosilica content of 50 wt%; and compatibility with multiple monomer, solvent, and resin systems. Its main application directions include anti-reflective coatings, anti-reflection films, optical display films, fiber coatings, bonding and coupling, and UV-curable optical film nanocoatings.
For formulators looking for a low-refractive-index nano-silica material, N-1180-50 can be considered as a candidate for evaluation. Final formulation performance should be assessed using the latest supplier product information, the MSDS, and application-specific testing.