Toppan has developed a new “Normal Black” grade of LC MAGIC™, a liquid crystal light control film that changes from transparent to opaque with the flick of a switch.
With LC MAGIC™ Normal Black, visible light transmission is 43% when power is on (left) and 5% when power is off (right).
LC MAGIC™ Normal Black is black with a visible light transmission (VLT) of 5% when power is off. Automobile windows and sunroofs using LC MAGIC™ Normal Black can therefore create a bright and open space when power is on, while ensuring privacy when power is off. This can eliminate the need for shades with motors or moving parts, improve comfort, and make vehicles lighter.
Toppan has now enabled a black color that shields 95% of visible light when power is off and a translucent light gray color allowing 43% of visible light to pass through when power is on. Toppan aims to launch mass production of LC MAGIC™ Normal Black in fiscal 2024, making samples available to the mobility industry, including the automotive, aviation, and rail sectors.
Features of LC MAGIC™ Normal Black
- Random positioning of dye within the layer structure achieves a VLT of 5% when power is off, meaning vehicle interiors cannot be seen from outside and external light can be blocked even on a clear day.
- Because dye aligns in a preset direction, up to 43% of visible light is allowed to pass through when power is on, a VLT level equivalent to that of rear windshields of general automobiles. Brightness is sufficient for people inside a vehicle to be discernable from the outside.
- Material selection and an original layer structure with UV protection prevent discoloration even when the film is used outside for long periods and ensure that VLT when power is off is unaffected .
- LC MAGIC™ can be easily applied after glass production is complete because the thickness of the film is approximately 0.4 mm. It can also be cut into any shape due to a structure in which liquid crystals do not move inside the film.
