Low-e coated articles and methods of making same

(54) Title: ARTICLES COVERED WITH DOWNLOAD AND MANUFACTURING PROCESSES OF THE SAME (51) Int. Cl .: C03C 17/36 (30) Unionist Priority: 15/03/2007 US 11 / 724,327 (73) Holder (s): GUARDIAN INDUSTRIES CORP.

(72) Inventor (s): RICHARD BLACKER;

BRENT BOYCE (74) Attorney (s): DANNEMANN, SIEMSEN, BIGLER & IPANEMA MOREIRA (86) International Application: PCT US2008001997 of 02/15/2008 (87) International Publication: WO

2008/115329 of 25/09/2008

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Descriptive Report of the Invention Patent for ARTICLES COATED WITH DOWNLOAD AND PROCESSES OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME.

Certain exemplary embodiments of this invention relate to articles coated with low E (low emissivity). In certain exemplary embodiments of this invention, low E-coated articles may or may not be heat-treated (e.g., thermally quenched, thermally curved, or thermally stiffened). In certain exemplary embodiments of this invention, low E-coated articles can be designed to achieve a combination of good visible light transmission (T_Vi_s) and an excellent solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) in order to have a ratio T_vis/ Improved SHGC (that is, larger). In certain exemplary embodiments of this invention, if thermo-treated (HT), low E-coated articles may have approximately the same color seen by the naked eye before and after heat treatment (i.e., a low ΔΕ * value) in certain examples. Such coated articles can be used in insulating glass (IG) units, and / or other appropriate applications.

Background of the Invention

Coated articles are known in the art for use in window applications such as insulating glass (IG) window units, vehicle windows, and / or the like. In certain situations, designers of coated articles may strive for a combination of good visible light transmission, low emissivity (or emissivity), and blocking unwanted radiation such as infrared (IR) radiation to prevent or reduce undesirable heating of building interiors or vehicle. High visible transmission, for example, may allow coated articles to be more desirable in certain applications, while characteristics of low emissivity (low E), low SHGC (solar heat gain coefficient), and low SF (solar factor, or value- g) allow coated articles to block significant amounts of undesirable radiation in order to reduce, for example, undesirable heating of building or vehicle interiors. SF, calculated according to DIN standard 67507 or EN410: 1998, refers to a ratio between the total energy entering a room or the like through a window and the incident solar energy. Thus, it will be appreciated that low SF values ​​are indicative of good sun protection against undesirable heating of rooms and the like protected by windows / glazing. For example, a low SF value is indicative of a coated article that is able to keep a room very cool in summer months during warm ambient conditions. In addition, the SHGC of an article / window is the fraction of incident solar radiation that is admitted through the article / window (for example, see NFRC 100-2001 incorporated herein by reference).

Solar control coating systems are known. For example, US patent 5,688,585 in common possession shows a coated solar control article including; glass / SÍ3N4 / NiCr / SÍ3N4. An objective of the '585 patent is to provide a spark-coated layer system which after heat treatment is color adjustable with its non-heat-treated counterpart. Although the coating systems of the '585 patent are excellent for their intended purposes, they suffer from certain disadvantages. In particular, em tend to have high emissivity values ​​(for example, because no silver (Ag) layer is shown in the '585 patent).

Low-emissivity (low-E) coating systems are also known in the art. For example, the commonly owned U 6 475 626 patent (so incorporated by reference) shows: glass / SYN₄/ NiCr / Ag / NiCr / SÍ3N4. Low-E coating systems of the '626 patent provide good visible and lowE transmission characteristics. However, coating systems of the '626 patent cannot achieve a combination of good visible transmission (T_ví_s) and good solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC). In other words, the coating systems of the '626 patent have reasons for T_vis/ SHGC undesirably low. For example, Example 1 of the '626 patent in the context of an insulating glass (IG) unit was only able to perform a ratio T_Ví_s/ SHGC of about 128. As another example, Example 2 of the '626 patent in the context of an insulating glass unit (Gl) was only able to realize a reason

Tvis / SHGC of about 127, and Example 2 of the '626 patent monolithically was the only one to perform a T ratio_Vis / SHGC of about 114.

US patent 6 782 718 also shows glass / SÍ3N4 / NiCr / Ag / NiCr / SÍ3N₄. However, the coating systems of the '718 patent have T reasons_vis/ SHGC undesirably low. For example, the Example in the seventeen column of the '718 patent in the context of an insulating glass unit (Gl) was only able to perform a ratio T_ví_s/ SHGC of about 127 (term treated or HT) or 123 (non-HT).

US patent 5,800,933 shows another example of coated article. However, the coated articles of the '933 patent have undesirably high SHGC values, thus indicating inefficient sun protection against undesirable heating of rooms or the like.

The need for adaptability (before heat treatment vs. after heat treatment) is also known with respect to coated articles. Glass substrates are often produced in large quantities and cut to size to meet the needs of a particular situation such as new multi-window and door office construction, vehicle windshield needs, etc. It is often desirable in such applications that some of the windows and / or doors are heat treated (i.e., tempered, thermo-stiffened or curved) while others need not be. Office buildings often employ IG units and / or laminates for security and / or thermal control. It is desirable that the heat-treated units and / or laminates substantially adjust their non-heat-treated counterparts (for example, with respect to color, reflectance, and / or the like, at least on the glass side) for architectural purposes and / or aesthetic. US patents 6,014,872 and 5,800,933 (see Example B) show a thermo-treatable low-E layer system including: TiO glass₂/ Si₃N₄/ NiCr / Ag / NiCr / Si₃N₄. Unfortunately, when heat treated this low-E layer system is not approximately color adjustable with its non-heat treated counterpart (as seen from the glass side). This is because this low-E layer system has a value of ΔΕ * (glass side) greater than 4.1 (that is, for Example B, Aa * G is 1.49, Ab * G is 3.81, and AL * (glass side) is not measured; using Equation (1) below then ΔΕ * on the glass side must necessarily be greater than 4.1 and is most likely much greater than that).

A decrease in SHGC values ​​was attempted by providing multiple layers of silver (for example, low E-coated articles with two layers of silver reflecting IV). For example, see US patent 7 138 182. However, that is, sometimes undesirable in that the coating is more expensive and time-consuming to manufacture, and may also suffer from certain durability issues due to the addition of the second layer of silver. Thus, it is sometimes desirable to avoid the need for two layers of silver in a coating. In addition, certain coatings with multiple layers of silver are difficult to manufacture, while retaining the ability to obtain adjustability with heat treatment (ie, low ΔΕ * values).

Others have tried to lower SHGC values, but this in exchange for lower visible transmission values. For example, a current coating has a stack of: glass / Si₃N4 (14.3 nm) / NiCr (3.8 nm) / Ag (10.6 nm) / NiCr (2.4 nm) / Si₃N₄ (48.4 nm). Although this article coated with a glass side ΔΕ value of less than 2 (monolithic) and an SHGC value of 0.35 (monolithic) or 0.30 (IG unit), it can only achieve a visible transmission of 48.4 % (monolithic) or 43.4% (IG unit). Likewise, your T ratio_Vis / SHGC is only 138 (monolithic), or 144 (IG, with a low visible transmission of 43.4%). As another example, the double silver coatings of US patent 7 138 182 perform a low SHGC, but in exchange for low visible transmission. Thus, '182 coatings are undesirable in that they both: require two layers of silver, and sacrifice visible transmission in order to achieve a low SHGC.

In view of the aforementioned, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that there is a need for a layer or coating system that can satisfy requirements for solar and low-E control, visible transmission desires, and ease of fabrication. In particular, it will be appreciated that there is a need in the technique for a low-E coating, which needs only a silver layer in certain example embodiments, and which can achieve a high visible transmission (T_vjs) along with a relatively low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) in order to have a ratio T_vis/ Improved SHGC (that is, larger). These characteristics can be provided in the contexts of IG and / or monolithic unity.

In certain example embodiments, the coated article if heat treated may also have a low ΔΕ * value indicating thermal stability with heat treatment (HT). In other words, there may also be a need in the art for a low-E layer or coating system that after optional heat treatment adjusts substantially in color and / or reflection (for example, as seen by the naked human eye from the glass side) its non-heat-treated counterpart.

Summary of Example Modalities of the Invention

Certain exemplary embodiments of this invention relate to low E (low emissivity) coated articles. In certain example claims of this invention, low E-coated articles may or may not be heat treated (for example, thermally tempered, thermally curved, or heat-stiffened).

In certain exemplary embodiments of this invention, low E-coated articles can be designed to achieve a combination of good visible transmission (T_Vj_s) and an excellent solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) in order to have a ratio T_Vi_s/ Improved SHGC (that is, larger). In certain example embodiments, the low E-coated article may have a ratio of T_Vi_s/ SHGC of at least 140, more preferably of at least 145, even more than at least 150 or 153. In addition, in certain exemplary embodiments of this invention, the coated article may have an SHGC value of no more than 0.36, more preferably not greater than 0.35, even more preferably not greater than 0.34 or 0.33. In certain exemplary embodiments of this invention, the coated article may have a visible transmission (T_vis) about 40-65%, more preferably about 45-60%, and most preferably about 48-57% or about 49-56%.

In certain exemplary embodiments of this invention, if thermally treated (HT), low E-coated articles may have approximately the same color characteristics as seen by the naked eye before and after heat treatment (ie, a low ΔΕ * value) in certain examples. Such coated articles can be used in insulating glass (IG) units, windows, and / or other appropriate applications. In certain exemplary embodiments, the coated article may have a glass-side reflective Δ de * value no greater than about 3.0, more preferably not greater than about 2.75, even more preferably not greater than about 2, 5, and possibly not greater than about 2.25 or 2.0.

In certain exemplary embodiments of this invention, an insulating glass (IG) window unit is provided comprising: first and second glass substrates coupled to each other close to their respective edges so as to form an insulating space between them: a layer system supported by one of the glass substrates close to the insulating space, said layer system comprising an infrared (IV) reflection layer comprising silver located between at least first and second dielectric layers, where said layer system includes only an IR reflecting layer comprising silver (or gold, or platinum); and where the IG window unit has a visible transmission (Tvis) of 47-60%, an SHGC not greater than 0.36, and a ratio T_vis/ SHGC of at least 140.

In other exemplary embodiments of this invention, a coated article is provided comprising: a coating supported by a glass substrate, said coating comprising an infrared (IV) reflection layer comprising silver located between at least the first and second dielectric layers, wherein said coating includes only an IR reflection layer comprising silver; and where the coated article measured monolithically has a visible transmission (T_Vj_s) of 50-65%, a SHGC not greater than 0.41, and a ratio of T_ví_s/ SHGC of at least 140.

A process for making such a coated article can also be provided, where each layer can be sparked or otherwise deposited on the glass substrate, and optionally afterwards the glass substrate with the coating can be heat treated (for example, thermally tempered).

In Drawings

Fig. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a layer system according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of an IG unit as contemplated by an example embodiment of this invention, where the layer system of Fig. 1 can be used.

Fig. 3 is a graph showing data from Examples 1-4 according to example modalities of this invention, based on modeling. Detailed Description of Certain Modalities of Example of the Invention

Certain embodiments of this invention provide a layer or coating system that can be used in applications such as IG units, vehicle windows, vehicle windshields, and other appropriate applications. Certain exemplary embodiments of this invention relate to low E (low emissivity) coated articles. In certain exemplary embodiments of this invention, low E-coated articles may or may not be heat treated (for example, thermally tempered, thermally curved, or thermally stiffened). In certain exemplary embodiments of this invention, low E-coated articles can be designed to achieve a combination of good visible transmission (T_vis) and an excellent solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) in order to have a ratio T_Vi_s/ Improved SHGC (that is, larger). This reason can be called in some examples a reason of gain of light for solar. In certain example embodiments, an E-coated article may have a ratio T_vis/ SHGC of at least 140, more preferably at least 145, even more preferably at least 150 or 153. In the case of visible transmission (T_Vj_s) be expressed in decimal terms (for example, 0.60 instead of 60%), then these ratios T_ví_s/ SHGC can be considered at least 1.40, more preferably at least 1.45, even more preferably at least 1.50 or 1.53. In addition, in certain exemplary embodiments of this invention, the coated article may have an SHGC value of no greater than 0.36, more preferably not greater than 0.35, even more preferably not greater than 0.34 or 0.33. In certain exemplary embodiments of this invention, the coated article may have a visible transmission (T_vis) about 40-65%, more preferably about 4560%, and more preferably about 48-57% or about 49-56%. The above data can be in the context of an IG and / or monolithic unit in different exemplary embodiments of this invention.

In certain exemplary embodiments of this invention, if heat treated (HT), low E-coated articles may have approximately the same color characteristics as seen by the naked eye before and after heat treatment (ie, a low ΔΕ value) in certain examples. Certain embodiments of this invention provide a layer system that has excellent color stability (ie, a low value of ΔΕ * and / or a low value of Aa *; where Δ is indicative of change in view of heat treatment) with heat treatment (for example, thermal tempering, bending, or thermal stiffening) monolithically and / or in the context of dual panel environments such as IG units or windshields. Such heat treatments often require heating of coated substrate to temperatures above 593 ° C (1100 ° F) and up to 788 ° C (1450 ° F) [more preferably from about 593.3 (1100 ° F) to 648.8 ° C (1200 ° F)] for a period of time sufficient to ensure the final result (for example, tempering, bending, and / or thermal stiffening). Certain embodiments of this invention combine both, color stability with heat treatment, and the use of a simple silver layer for selective IR reflection. In certain exemplary embodiments, the coated article may have a value of ΔΕ * not greater than about 3.0, more preferably not greater than about 2.75, even more preferably not greater than about 2.5, and possibly not greater than about 2.25 or 2.0.

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an article coated according to an exemplary embodiment of this invention. The coated article includes substrate 1 (for example, clear glass, green, bronze, gray, blue, or blue-green substrate of about 1.0 to 12.0 mm thick, for example, about 6 mm thick ), first dielectric layer 3 (for example, from or including silicon nitride (for example, SYNN4), titanium dioxide, titanium nitride, zirconium oxide, zirconium nitride, tin oxide, silicon oxide, silicon dioxide , silicon oxinitride, or zinc oxide), metallic or substantially metallic nickel (Ni) or nickel - chromium (NiCr) including layer 5 (other oxidation resistant materials can be used instead of Ni or NiCr in alternative embodiments of this invention), layer 7 based on silver (Ag) reflection of metallic or substantially metallic IV, layer 9 including nickel - chromium (NiCr) or nickel (Ni) metallic or substantially metallic (other materials resistant to oxidation can be used instead of Ni or NiCr in alternative embodiments of this invention), and second dielectric layer 11 (for example, of, or including silicon nitride (eg, SYNN4), titanium dioxide, titanium nitride, zirconium nitride, zirconium oxide, tin oxide, silicon oxide, silicon dioxide, silicon oxide nitride, or zinc oxide). Another layer (s) below or above the illustrated coating system can also be provided. Thus, although the layer system is over or supported by substrate 1 (directly or indirectly), another layer (s) can be provided between them. Thus, for example, the layer system of Fig. 1 can be considered on the substrate 1 although another layer (s) can be provided between them.

Layer 7 of Ag reflecting IV is preferably Ag metal, although it is possible that some small amount of oxidation may occur with respect to it. The same is true for Ni or NiCr 5 and 9 layers. Thus, in certain preferred embodiments of this invention, layers 5, 7 and 9 are no more than about 25% oxidized, more preferably no more than about 10% oxidized, and more preferably not more than about 1, 2, or, or even up to 7-8% oxidized and / or nitrided. In certain preferred embodiments, layers 5 and / or 9 are non-nitrided and non-oxidized nickel or nickel alloy (for example, 80/20 nickel / chromium nichrome by weight). Layers 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 can be deposited on the glass substrate via sparking, or by any other appropriate technique.

In embodiments of this invention where layers 3 and 11 comprise silicon nitride (for example, SYNN4 or any other appropriate stoichiometry), a target including Si used to form these layers can be mixed with up to 6-20% by weight of aluminum or stainless steel (for example, SS # 316), with about this amount then appearing in the layers thus formed. In addition, although layers 5 and 9 may be nickel metallic, a nichrome preferably consisting essentially, by weight of about 80-90% Ni and 10-20% Cr (or 50/50 Ni / Cr), can be used in certain example modalities. Other metals or alloys can also be used in alternative modalities, for example, alloy (s) includes 10% or more of Ni. Besides that,. While it is possible to employ certain metals reflecting IV as a layer 7, such as gold or platinum, in certain embodiments of this invention, the present layer 7 consists essentially of metallic silver in certain embodiments of this invention. An example of layers 5 and 9 includes not only SS-316 which consists essentially of 10% Ni e (0% other ingredients, mainly Faith and Cr, but also alloys Haynes 214, which by weight consists essentially of (as a nominal composition) :

<td>Element</td><td>% by weight</td>

<td>Ni</td><td> 75,45</td>

<td>Faith</td><td> 4,00</td>

<td>Cr</td><td> 16,00</td>

<td>Ç</td><td> 0,04</td>

<td>Al</td><td> 4,50</td>

<td>Y</td><td> 0,01</td>

Fig. 2 illustrates the layer or coating system 22 of Fig. 1 being used on surface # 2 of an IG window unit. In order to differentiate the interior of the IG unit (and the interior of the building in which the unit is mounted) from its exterior, the sun 19 is schematically shown in Fig. 2 on the exterior. The IG unit includes pane or outer glass sheet 21 (or 1) and pane or inner glass sheet 23. These two glass substrates (for example, float glass from 2 mm to 12 mm thick) are sealed at their peripheral edges by a sealant 25 or the like, and can be provided with a conventional desiccant strip 27. The panes are then retained in a conventional door or window retaining structure (shown in partial schematic form). By sealing the peripheral edges of the glass sheets and replacing the air in the insulating space (or chamber) 30 with a gas such as argon, a typical IG unit of high insulation value is formed. Optionally, the insulating space 30 can be at a pressure of less than atmospheric pressure in certain alternative modalities, although this is, of course, not necessary in all modalities. Any inner wall 24 or 26 (or both) can be provided with a coating 22 (see Fig. 1) of this invention. In this illustrated embodiment of Fig. 2, inner wall 24 (i.e., surface # 2) of outer glass sheet 21 has been provided with a spark-coated layer system of Fig. 1 on it.

Returning to Fig. 1, although various thicknesses can be used consistent with one or more of the objects and / or needs discussed here, according to certain exemplary embodiments of this invention, the preferred thicknesses and materials for the respective layers on the glass substrate 1 are as follows (note that stoichiometries such as Sí₃N₄ are used for example purposes only and without limitation):

<td>Layer</td><td>Preferred range (Angstrõns)</td><td>Most preferred (Angstrõns)</td><td>Example (Angstrõns)</td>

<td>SYNN4 (layer 3)</td><td> 150-190 ^THE</td><td> 200-350 ^THE</td><td> 230-320 ^THE</td>

<td>NiCr (layer 5)</td><td>10-80 (or 10-40) THE</td><td> 15-40 ^THE</td><td> 17-30 ^THE</td>

<td>Ag (layer 7)</td><td> 90-200 ^THE</td><td> 125-180 ^THE</td><td> 135-170 ^THE</td>

<td>NiCr (layer 9)</td><td>10-80 (or 10-40) THE</td><td> 15-40 ^THE</td><td> 17-30 ^THE</td>

<td>SYNN4 (layer 11)</td><td> 400-600 ^THE</td><td> 450-560 ^THE</td><td> 465-540 ^THE</td>

As can be seen from Table 1 above, compare to examples in US patent 6 475 626 for example, layer 7 of Ag has been thickened, top layer 11 of silicon nitride has been thickened, and bottom layer 3 of nitride silicon can be fine-tuned. The NiCr layers were also thinned. An example of an excellent thickness range for layers 5 and / or 9 is from about 18-23 Angströns. Surprisingly, it is believed that one or more of these changes result in a ratio T_ví_s/ Improved (larger) SHGC without significantly sacrificing values ​​of ΔΕ * or visible transmission in optional thermo - treated modalities.

Note that thicknesses are physical thicknesses.

Low values ​​of ΔΕ * are indicative of thermal stability with heat treatment (HT) such as thermal quenching, thermal curvature or the like. The way in which ΔΕ * values ​​are calculated is shown in US patent 6 475 626, which is incorporated herein by reference. In other words, in IG and / or monolithic applications, low values ​​of reflective ΔΕ * on the glass side indicate that two glass substrates having the same coating system on them (a term treated after deposition and or another non-heat treated) they appear to the naked human eye substantially the same when viewed from the glass side of the product (i.e., looking through at least one glass substrate before seeing the coating). Thus, it will be appreciated that ΔΕ * and Aa * values ​​are important in determining whether or not there is an adjustment capacity, or substantial adjustment capacity, between an HT and non-HT product having the same coating (or between a given product compared before) a after being HT). Note that color here is described by reference to conventional values ​​of a *, B *, and the term Aa * is simply indicative of how much a color value a * changes due to heat treatment (HT). Thus, ΔΕ * is calculated in a known manner using the L *, a *, b * values ​​of the CIE LAB scale that are known. In particular,

ΔΕ * = [(AL *)² + (Aa *)² + (Ab *)²]¹'² (1) where:

AL * = L \ - L *_The (2)

Aa * = a * i - a *₀ (3)

Ab * = b * i - b *₀ (4) where subscript 0 represents the coating (coated article) before heat treatment and subscript 1 represents the coating (coated article) after heat treatment; and the numbers used (for example, a *, b *, L *) are those calculated using the L *, a *, b coordinate technique mentioned earlier (CIE LAB 1976).

In certain embodiments of this invention, coated articles provided here on clear monolithic glass substrates are colored as follows before heat treatment as seen from the glass side of the coated article (R_G %):

Table 2: Color (R_G) before heat treatment (monolithic)

<td></td><td>Generic</td><td>Preferred</td>

<td>The*</td><td>-2.5 to +2.0</td><td>-1.5 to +0.7</td>

<td>* B</td><td>-10.0 to +2.0</td><td>-9.0 to-1.0</td>

After heat treatment, in certain embodiments of this invention layer systems provided on clear monolithic glass substrates 20 have color characteristics ΔΕ * and Aa * as follows, when viewed from the glass side (G) (as opposed to the side of layer) of the coated article:

Table 3: Color Characteristics (AE *_G &amp; Aa *_G) after heat treatment (Monolithic)

<td></td><td>Generic</td><td>Preferred</td>

<td>AE *_g is</td><td> &lt;=3,0</td><td>&lt;= 2.5 (or &lt;= 2.0)</td>

<td>Aa *_G is</td><td> &lt;=2,0</td><td> &lt;=1,5</td>

<td>Ab *_G is</td><td> &lt;=2,0</td><td>&lt;= 1.0 (or &lt;= 0.7)</td>

Likewise, as shown in Table 3 above, monolithic coated articles according to certain embodiments of this invention have an ΔΕ * value (glass side) not greater than 3.0, more preferably not greater than 2.5, and even more preferably not greater than 2.0; and have an Aa * value (glass side) not greater than about 2.0, more preferably not greater than 1.5. These same values ​​can also be applied to IG units. When one or both of these are obtained, adjustability can result. In certain example modalities, it is noted that b * values ​​are not deemed as important as a * values, because changes in a * are believed to be more noticeable to the naked human eye than are changes in b * in certain examples. However, values ​​of Δ (* (glass side) are also low in certain examples as shown above.

Table 4 below shows example characteristics of monolithic coated articles according to the exemplary embodiments of this invention. The values ​​in Table 4 apply to non-HT and / or HT products, except that ΔΕ * is applicable only to HT products, and assumes a clear substrate for example purposes only.

Table 4: Example Features (Monolithic)

<td>Value / Measurement</td><td>Banner</td><td>Most preferred</td><td>Most preferred</td>

<td>Transmission (TY) %:</td><td> 45-70%</td><td> 50-65%</td><td> 53-61%</td>

<td>L *_T:</td><td> 70-90</td><td> 73-85</td><td> 77-83</td>

<td>The*_T:</td><td>-10 to +2</td><td>-8 to 0</td><td>-6 to-2</td>

<td>B*_T:</td><td>-8 to +8</td><td>-5 to +5</td><td>-3 to +3</td>

<td>Reflection like seen from glass side (G): RgY (%)</td><td> 15-30%</td><td> 17-28%</td><td> 19-25%</td>

<td>L * G:</td><td> 45-70</td><td> 48-65</td><td> 50-60</td>

<td>The*_G:</td><td>-5 to +3</td><td>-2.5 to +2</td><td>-1.5 to + 0.7</td>

<td>B*_G^:</td><td>-10 to + 2</td><td>-9 to-1</td><td>-3 to-8</td>

<td>ΔΕ * (that is, from the glass side (G):</td><td> &lt;=3,0</td><td> &lt;=2,5</td><td>&lt;= 2.25 or 2.0</td>

<td>Reflection like seen from filter side me / coating (F): R_fY (%):</td><td> &lt;=12%</td><td> &lt;=10%</td><td> &lt;=9%</td>

<td>L * F:</td><td> &lt;=45</td><td> &lt;=40</td><td> &lt;=38</td>

<td>The*_F:</td><td>-10 to + 20</td><td>-5 to +15</td><td>0 to +10</td>

<td>B*_F:</td><td>-25 to +10</td><td>-20 to 0</td><td>-18a-10</td>

<td>Rs (resistance of leaf on ohms / sq.)</td><td> &lt;=20</td><td>&lt;= 7 or 6</td><td> &lt;=5</td>

<td>T780</td><td> 28-38</td><td> 30-36</td><td> 31-35</td>

<td>Total Solar T% (Tsolar) ·</td><td>at</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>U value</td><td>at</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>SHGC</td><td> &lt;=41</td><td> &lt;=40</td><td>&lt;= 39 or 38</td>

<td>Tvis / SHGC ratio</td><td> &gt;=135</td><td> &gt;=140</td><td>&gt; = 145 or 148</td>

<td>% SF (g-value)</td><td>at</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Eh (emittance hemispheric):</td><td> &lt;=0,08</td><td> &lt;=0,07</td><td> &lt;=0,06</td>

Table 5 below shows characteristic features of monolithic coated articles according to the exemplary embodiments of this invention, in the context of IG window units (for example, see Fig. 2).

Table 5: Characteristics Examples (IG Unit)

<td>Value / Measurement</td><td>Banner</td><td>Most preferred</td><td>Most preferred</td>

<td>Transmission (TY) %:</td><td> 40-65%</td><td> 47-60%</td><td> 49-56%</td>

<td>L *_T:</td><td> 67-87</td><td> 70-82</td><td> 74-80</td>

<td>The*_T:</td><td>-10 to +2</td><td>-8 to 0</td><td>-7 to -3</td>

<td>B*_T:</td><td>-5 to +5</td><td>-3 to +3</td><td>-2 to +2</td>

<td>Reflection like seen from</td><td> 18-32%</td><td> 20-27%</td><td> 22-26%</td>

<td>glass side (G): R_gY (%)</td><td colspan="3"></td>

<td>L * G:</td><td> 48-73</td><td> 51-68</td><td> 52-60</td>

<td>The*_G:</td><td>-6 to + 2</td><td>-3 to + 1</td><td>-2.5 to 0</td>

<td>B*_G^:</td><td>-10 to +2</td><td>-9a-1</td><td>-3 to-8</td>

<td>ΔΕ * (that is, from the glass side (G):</td><td> &lt;=3,0</td><td> &lt;=2,5</td><td>&lt;= 2.25 or 2.0</td>

<td>Reflection like seen from filter side me / coating (F): R_fY (%):</td><td> &lt;=19%</td><td> &lt;=18%</td><td> &lt;=16%</td>

<td>L * F:</td><td> &lt;=55</td><td> &lt;=50</td><td> &lt;=48</td>

<td>The*_F:</td><td>-10 to +15</td><td>-5 to +10</td><td>0 to +8</td>

<td>B*_F:</td><td>-18 to +5</td><td>-15 to 0</td><td>-12 to -4</td>

<td>Rs (resistance of leaf on ohms / sq.)</td><td> &lt;=20</td><td>&lt;= 7 or 6</td><td> &lt;=5</td>

<td>Total Solar T% (Tsolar):</td><td> 24-31</td><td> 25-30</td><td> 25-29</td>

<td>U value</td><td> 0,27-3,4</td><td> 28-33</td><td> 29-31</td>

<td>SHGC</td><td> &lt;=36</td><td> &lt;=35</td><td>&lt;= 34 or 33</td>

<td>Tvis / SHGC ratio</td><td> &gt;=140</td><td> &gt;=145</td><td>&gt; = 150 or 153</td>

<td>% SF (g-value)</td><td> &lt;=40</td><td> &lt;=38</td><td> &lt;=36</td>

<td>AND_H (emittance hemispheric):</td><td> &lt;=0,08</td><td> &lt;=0,07</td><td> &lt;=0,06</td>

Examples 1-4

Four example coated articles are shown in Fig. 3. Each of these examples had a stack of layers of: glass / SÍ3N₄/ NiCr / Ag / NiCr / Si₃N4, and the thicknesses of the layers are shown in Fig. 3 in nm units. Note that no layer of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) was present in any of these examples as the bottom layer, although this is possible in certain examples. The data with respect to Examples 1-4 are also shown in Fig. 3, with respect to monolithic (mono) and IG unit (IGU). The glass substrates in these examples were about 6 mm thick and were clear. The data in Fig. 3 was taken before optional HT.

The T ratio_Vj_s/ SHGC is a function of the number of IR reflection layers based on Ag or Au. For example, if there were two layers reflecting IV, the ratio may be significantly higher (for example, 190 (or 195) or above for two layers of silver reflecting IV).

Certain terms are predominantly used in the glass coating technique, particularly when defining the properties and characteristics of solar coated glass management. Such terms are used here according to their well-known meanings. For example, as used here:

light intensity of reflected visible wavelength, that is, reflectance is defined by its percentage and is reported as R_XY or R_x (that is, the Y value quoted below in ASTM E-308-85), where X is both G for the glass side and F for the film side. Glass side (for example, G) means, as seen from the side of the glass substrate opposite the one on which the coating resides, while film side (i.e., F) means, as seen from the side of the substrate glass on which the coating resides.

The terms heat treatment and heat treating as used herein mean heating the article to a temperature sufficient to allow thermal quenching, bending, or thermal stiffening of the article including glass. This definition includes, for example, heating a coated article using a temperature (s) of at least about 550 degrees C, more preferably at least about 580 or 600 degrees C, for a period sufficient to allow tempering or thermal curvature.

Once given the above, many other features, modifications and improvements will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such other features, modifications and improvements are therefore considered to be a part of this invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the following claims: