ANGULAR-DEPENDENCE OF VISIBLE TRANSMITTANCE IN A LAMINATED GLAZING CONTAINING ELECTRICALLY-INDUCED CHAINS OF SUSPENSIONS

The angular dependence of visible transmittance and reflectance was ex amined for a laminated glazing containing many TiOxNy particle chains formed in a silicone gel along an external electric field (glass/lamin ate film/gel layer/indium-tin oxide/glass). The difference in transmit tance at the light incident angles of 0 and 60 degrees attained as muc h as 40%, while the reflectance change was very small. The transmittan ce change was ascribable to the high absorption coefficient of the par ticles (similar to 10(5) Cm-1) and the regular chain formation normal to the glass substrates. Also, the adhesive strength of the gel to the laminate film was increased ca. 8.5% by annealing the gel at 300 degr ees C for 15 min. The increases in the polar component of the surface tension and in the adhesive area due to the resultant surface roughnes s of the gel are plausible explanations of the heat-treatment effect. The excellent angular selectivity of the laminate glazing with adequat e adhesive strength is of potential interest for energy efficient wind ows for buildings and automobiles.