Frequently Asked Questions

Solar/Visible light/Thermal performance/Energy saving of KristalBond

How much solar energy does KristalBond reject? As per our test results, KristalBond coated on 6mm clear float glass rejects a total solar radiation of @ 44% - made up of 90% of Infrared Rays, 99% of Ultraviolet Rays and 15% of visible light.

What is so special about the KristalBond coating since there is not much difference in physical appearance after it has been applied on to the glass? Prior to the KristalBond  appliction, the Total Solar Energy Rejection (TSER) on 6mm of clear float glass is 20%. After KristalBond has been applied the Total Solar Energy Rejectionit is 44%, whereby 99% of harmful Ultra Violet rays and 90% of Infrared rays are rejected. Hence, KristalBond will help to create a more conducive living/working environment while you can enjoy a clear view, as well as harvesting natural light over the usage of artificial lighting, thereby reducing your carbon footprint and its corresponding energy savings.

How does KristalBond block heat since the Visible Light Transmission of KristalBond is very high? Tinted glass blocks high amounts of visible light but allows transmission of the Infrared rays which converts into heat. KristalBond does the opposite by blocking solar Infrared rays to 90% while allowing high visible light transmission of 76%. This means that KristalBond coated glass allows more light transmission rather than heat.

Will the KristalBond coating cut/block the incoming sunlight and make the interior look darker? No, the visible light transmission drops only by 10 - 14%. For example, based on 6mm clear float glass, before coating with KristalBond, the Visible Light Transmission is 88%, and after coating with KristalBond the Visible Light Transmission is 76% but can still cut off up to 90% Infrared Rays and 99% Ultra Violet rays.

Does tinted glass reduce heat like KristalBond ? Tinted glass does reduce a certain amount of heat, however the trade off is losing Visible Light Transmission and permanent coloured image.Applying KristalBond provides a high Visible Light Transmission which lets the natural light in while providing Ultra Violet cut up to 99% and Infrared Rays cut up to 90%.

How much energy can be saved before and after coating with KristalBond? Energy saving simulation is complicated and requires an engineer to do a comprehensive simulation on an approved industry software program. On average, KristalBond reduces temperature by @ 3-5ºC, and on extreme days, 7-10ºC, which can equate to up to 20% cost savings on your energy bills. An energy saving simulation report for your building is suggested to help quantify the benefits of the KristalBond application and its estimated long term energy savings.

Is KristalBond technology Energy Absorptive or the Energy Reflective? KristalBond coating is energy absorptive.

Does KristalBond coating remove glare? KristalBond provides a slight reduction on Visible Light Transmission resulting in less glare without compromising a clear view. It does not however remove the glare completely since the main target of the KristalBond product is to harvest the Visible Light Transmission to the maximum level in a more comfortable, safe and energy efficient environment.

Does KristalBond distort the vision like film? KristalBond minimizes distortion. KristalBond coating is chemically bonded onto the glass without adhesive; therefore it is bubble-free. Moreover, once it has cured, it forms the structure similar to that of the glass. Hence, the image distortion remains minimal.

How much longer can my furniture/display items last now that there is KristalBond coating on the glass to cut off UV rays and minimise infrared rays?  There is not an absolute answer on this.  The life of your valuables, in terms of fading, is dependent on a number of contributing factors including the colour and dyes used, the materials used, the frequency, duration and intensity of UV exposure, variations in temperature and humidity in the building, and the way the furnishings are being used and maintained.

Although Ultraviolet exposure is the main cause of fading, it is not the only factor as described above.  It can be broken down as follows:

40% UV       25% Heat     25% Visible Light   and    10% Miscellaneous

KristalBond  does not STOP fading but will considerably reduce the incidence of any fading, taking into account all of the factors described above.

Furniture and displays that uses material with UV-resistent properties have more resistence to fading, however UV protection alone is insufficient to stop fading. 

Physical properties/warranty of KristalBond

What is KristalBond's durability and does it delaminate (bubble) or peel like films? KristalBond has a similar composition to that of glass. It is chemically bonded to the glass surface without the use of any adhesive. It will not delaminate (bubble) or peel off the glass. KristalBond provides a 10 year warranty against cracking, bubbling and peeling of the coating.

How thick is KristalBond as compared to films? KristalBond is 7 micrometres thin whilst most tint films are around 40 micrometres depending on the film.

Is KristalBond scratch resistant? What is the hardness of the coating?KristalBond  has a Stratch resistence hardness of 6H as per the Scratch Resistence Test JIS K5600-5-4:1999. Float glass and tempered glass have a hardness level of @ 7H. Although it is hard, it is not scratch proof.

Is KristalBond fire resistant? KristalBond is combustion resistant as tested under JIS R3211:1998 and JIS R3212:1998. It is conbustion resistent and does not incinerate nor release toxic fumes upon exposure to fire..

How long can the KristalBond  coating last, and what happens after 10 years?  Does the coating loose its effectiveness or would it disappear?  KristalBond has a 10 year warranty against bubbling, peeling and cracking, however the coating can last beyond the 10 years with minimal change to its properties.

As a result of the Weathering Test in accordance with ISO11341:1994, using the filtered Xenon-arc, the KristalBond coating was exposed to intense radiation for 2000 hours which is equivalent to 10 years of sun exposure (according to industrial standards).  KristalBond adhered to the requirements with minimal change to its performance and properties.

Application of KristalBond

What is the maximum and minimum area that KristalBond can be applied to? There is minimal limitation to the area size, height or shape that KristalBond can be applied to. The width of a single area can be as wide as 4m/12ft.

Will KristalBond leave any noticeable joins? No. Traditional films which come in a fixed size leave visible joins if the glass is wide. As KristalBond is applied in a liquid form, its application is seemless. You will not see any joins on the coated glass.

Are there any glass types that cannot be coated? KristalBond cannot be applied to coated glass surfaces such as reflective glass (coated side), low-E glass (coated side), frosted glass (treated side), decorative glass (printed side) and wire glass. Please consult your KristalBond representative for further clarification.

Is KristalBond coated on the interior or exterior of the glass? KristalBond is applied on the glass surface that is facing the interior of the premises.

What colours does KristalBond come in? KristalBond is a clear coating ensuring a clear view with low haze levels. When being applied, KristalBond has a slight green tinge which is generally not noticeable once cured after 7 days.  The glass remains clear and not distorted.

How long does it take to apply KristalBond? Depending on the total glass area and its accessibility, the duration taken to apply the product will vary from project to project. However, as a guide, on average, a 2 man team can complete up to 30m2/98.4 ft2 per day (subject to terms and conditions). For detailed information please contact your KristalBond representative.

Can KristalBond be applied directly over film products? No. We will have to remove the film prior to applying the KristalBond product onto the glass.

There is a smell after applying KristalBond; what is it and is it harmful? the odour is the aocohol-based solvents which will dissipate within 24 hours. If you wish to speed up the process, just open a window or door to ventilate the area, the smell will be gone. The amount of solvents used in the product is within the threshold specified by the relevant authorities. Some people may be sensitive to the smell therefore it is advisable not to stay in the area until the smell dissipates.

How is the KristalBond product applied?

• Protect your fixed furniture and the areas near the glass with plastic sheets and protective tapes
• Clean the glass to be free from dust and oils
• Coat the glass with KristalBond using a special applicator

How long does it take for KristalBond to dry before I can touch and/or clean the surface? The drying process takes about an hour before it becomes what is known as “tack free”. It takes 7 days for full curing to take place. You may clean your glass as usual with soft cloth and glass cleaner after 7 days.

KristalBond is a liquid coating, will dust be attracted to it and effect its finish? How do you minimize the particle level? We have a process to minimize dust particles, some of which involve laying out protective sheets, thoroughly cleaning the glass, using dust free products etc.

Do you need to dismantle the glass panel to coat? No. Coating can be performed on site without removing the glass from the frames.

How do you ensure the coating thickness of KristalBond is consistent? Consistency is achieved by controlling the amount of the liquid applied to a specific area using an exact ratio. Our applicators are trained in the handling of the KristalBond product. KristalBond also has self leveling properties which allows it to spread uniformly during its application.

Maintenance of KristalBond

How do I maintain KristalBond glass coating? You can clean the glass using a soft cloth and mild glass cleaners. Avoid using highly acidic or alkaline detergents.

I scratched the surface after KristalBond was applied, can it be fixed? Unfortunately, we are not able to patch the scratch. To rectify this we will have to remove the coating and apply the KristalBond product again.

Can I put removable stickers on KristalBond coated glass for advertising purposes?  What can I use to remove glue?  Yes, you can paste stickers over the  KristalBond  as long as the coated surface is fully cured (7 days).  You can use IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) to remove the remaining glue surface. Do not use paint thinner or other solvents as it may attack the coating.  Also do not use sharp objects such as a scraper to remove the sticker.

I spilled paint over the KristalBond coated glass surface.  can turpentine be used for paint removal?  Yes turpentine can be used however do not leave it on the coating for too long.  If you find the coating is looking hazy it is caused by the solvent in the paint attacking the coating.  Paint thinner should not be used as it will attack the coating.

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