Crizal
Encyclopedia
Crizal is the brand name of a Canadian range of optical lens coatings manufactured by French Essilor
. Its products were created to allow greater transparency in lenses by repelling rain and being anti-reflective, smudge-resistant, dust-resistant and scratch-resistant .
polymers which were applied directly after the last antireflection layer using a vacuum deposition
process.
cracks on the suface of the lens, making it much smoother. This translates into a better performance against dust and smudges.
The AST technology was developed by preparing the lens surface through ion
bombardment
to ensure a better adhesion
of the molecules that make up the anti-reflection coating layers. By using this process, it was possible to introduce an ultra-thin conductive layer to neutralize the electrostatic charge on the surface of the lens so that it would not attract dust particles after cleaning.
) signed a licensing agreement with 3M
to market a new generation of the Crizal Alizé, called Crizal Avancé with Scotchgard
Protector. This new coating combined the anti-reflective, durability and ease of cleaning properties of Crizal Alizé with the protective qualities of Scotchgard Protector.
Essilor
Essilor International S.A. is a French company that produces ophthalmic lenses along with ophthalmic optical equipment. It is based in Paris, France, and quoted on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange...
. Its products were created to allow greater transparency in lenses by repelling rain and being anti-reflective, smudge-resistant, dust-resistant and scratch-resistant .
Technology
The Crizal technology was developed using technology from the micro-electronics, flat screen and fiber optics industries. The original Crizal coating specialized in anti-reflective technology, smudge resistance and scratch resistance.Anti-Smudge Technology
The anti-smudge layer on the Crizal coating was developed by using perfluorinatedPerfluorinated compounds
A perfluorinated compound is an organofluorine compound with all hydrogens replaced by fluorine on a carbon chain—but the molecule also contains at least one different atom or functional group. Thus, PFCs have properties similar to fluorocarbons as they are fluorocarbon derivatives...
polymers which were applied directly after the last antireflection layer using a vacuum deposition
Vacuum deposition
Vacuum deposition is a family of processes used to deposit layers atom-by-atom or molecule-by-molecule at sub-atmospheric pressure on a solid surface. The layers may be as thin as one atom to millimeters thick . There may be multiple layers of different materials...
process.
Anti-Scratch Technology
The anti-scratch layer is provided by a double varnish that involves the introduction of a shock-absorbing layer.1993: Crizal
The original Crizal was an anti-reflective, scratch resistant and anti-smudge coating.2003: Crizal Alizé
The Crizal Alizé coating marked a serious improvement on the original Crizal's anti-smudge and anti-dust properties . It contains a high proportion of perfluorinated molecules to fill in the microscopicMicroscopic
The microscopic scale is the scale of size or length used to describe objects smaller than those that can easily be seen by the naked eye and which require a lens or microscope to see them clearly.-History:...
cracks on the suface of the lens, making it much smoother. This translates into a better performance against dust and smudges.
Crizal Alizé with AST
The Crizal Alizé with AST coating was launched in March 2006 on the Canadian market. Combined to the original Crizal's anti-smudge and anti-dust properties, Essilor's AST technology provided an improved level of anti-reflection.The AST technology was developed by preparing the lens surface through ion
Ion
An ion is an atom or molecule in which the total number of electrons is not equal to the total number of protons, giving it a net positive or negative electrical charge. The name was given by physicist Michael Faraday for the substances that allow a current to pass between electrodes in a...
bombardment
Bombardment
A bombardment is an attack by artillery fire directed against fortifications, troops or towns and buildings.Prior to World War I the term term was only applied to the bombardment of defenceless or undefended objects, houses, public buildings, it was only loosely employed to describe artillery...
to ensure a better adhesion
Adhesion
Adhesion is any attraction process between dissimilar molecular species that can potentially bring them in close contact. By contrast, cohesion takes place between similar molecules....
of the molecules that make up the anti-reflection coating layers. By using this process, it was possible to introduce an ultra-thin conductive layer to neutralize the electrostatic charge on the surface of the lens so that it would not attract dust particles after cleaning.
Crizal Avancé with Scotchgard Protector
In 2008, Essilor of America (the American subsidiary of Essilor InternationalEssilor
Essilor International S.A. is a French company that produces ophthalmic lenses along with ophthalmic optical equipment. It is based in Paris, France, and quoted on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange...
) signed a licensing agreement with 3M
3M
3M Company , formerly known as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation based in Maplewood, Minnesota, United States....
to market a new generation of the Crizal Alizé, called Crizal Avancé with Scotchgard
Scotchgard
Scotchgard is a 3M brand of products used to protect fabric, furniture, and carpets from stains.The original formula for Scotchgard was discovered accidentally in 1952 by 3M chemists Patsy Sherman and Samuel Smith...
Protector. This new coating combined the anti-reflective, durability and ease of cleaning properties of Crizal Alizé with the protective qualities of Scotchgard Protector.