Untitled record

Coated Article Having Zinc Oxide Seed Layer

Background of the invention

Infrared (IR) reflecting layers (eg silver-based) are often used for infrared reflection. These silver-based coatings are susceptible to damage, and generally require protective coatings on both sides to protect them. The layer directly below it, which is in contact with the layer that reflects infrared radiation, is in some cases zinc oxide treated with aluminum (ZnO:Al). However, in coating, the ZnO:Al layer may become compressed, creating weak spots and contributing to the lack of overall durability. Lack of durability may lead to paint corrosion. The silver-based infrared reflection layer can be damaged chemically or mechanically due to stress in the ZnO:Al layer. In particular, stress in the coating may become a problem during thermal action when the underlying layer of glass with the coating on it is heated to a high temperature (eg at least 580°C) and then cooled rapidly. Hence there is a need in the field for a coated material with a layer placed near or adjacent to (eg under) the infrared reflectance or silver-based layer, allowing the coated material to achieve improved durability or optical characteristics.

General description of the invention

In some example embodiments of the invention, a coated material is provided that includes a coating supported by a substrate, the coating comprising at least the following layers, which move away from the glass substrate: A dielectric layer including zinc and gallium and an infrared reflective layer including silver shall be placed on the substrate directly above and in contact with the layer containing zinc and gallium, and at least one additional layer above at least the infrared (IR) reflecting layer, and wherein The layer including zinc and gallium includes at least from about 0.01 to 10% gallium and optionally and most preferably from about 0.25 to 10% gallium. The layer containing zinc and gallium is called the “base” layer because it is directly below and in contact with the infrared (IR) reflecting layer, although it is possible to use other materials instead of silver.

In other embodiments of the invention, a coated material is provided that includes a coating supported by an undercoat, the coating comprising at least the following layers, which move away from the undercoat: A largely transparent base layer containing a first substance and a second substance, where the ionic radius of the first substance and the ionic radius of the second substance differ by no more than 15 picometers, a layer containing silver placed on the substrate directly above and in contact with the base layer, and a layer At least one dielectric layer above the layer containing at least silver, wherein the first material is a metal and the second material is used to treat the first material with oxide in the base layer, and wherein the layer includes Basic from about 0.01 to 10%, and better from 0.25 to 10% of the second material. The painted material may be treated without heat treatment (such as thermally tempered). The second material may be, for example, gallium in some embodiments, although other materials may be used instead.

In some example embodiments of the invention, a coated material is provided that includes a coating supported by a substrate, the coating comprising at least the following layers, which move away from the glass substrate: A first layer includes zinc and gallium, an infrared reflective layer includes silver, placed on the substrate directly above the first layer and in contact with it, and a second layer placed above at least the infrared (IR) reflecting layer and the first layer, wherein gallium forms from about 0.01 To a minimum of 10% and most preferably from about 0.25 to 10% of the first layer.

In another embodiment, for example of the invention, there is a jetting target for applying a layer containing zinc oxide treated with gallium by jetting, where the target includes zinc, from about 0.01 to 10% and preferably from about 0.25 to 10% gallium. The target may be flat, or a rotating cylindrical magnetron type sputtering target is best.

In another embodiment, for example, of the invention, a target is provided that is used to apply a basic layer by jetting, where the target includes a first substance and a second substance, the ionic radius of the first substance differing from the ionic radius of the second substance by no more than about 15 picometres. In other embodiments, for example of the invention, a method for creating a coated material is presented that includes the following steps: Forming a lower-emission coating by applying a first layer containing a first material and a second material, the difference between their radii not exceeding 15 picometers, on the glass substrate. To provide an infrared reflective layer on the first layer and come in contact with it, and provide a second layer on the infrared (IR) reflecting layer and come into contact with it.

Brief explanation of the drawings

Figure 1: Cross-section of the coated material according to the first embodiment provided by example of the invention.

Figure 2: Cross-section of the coated material according to the second embodiment provided by example of the invention.

Figure 3: Cross-section of the coated material according to the third embodiment provided by example of the invention.

Figure 4: Cross-section of the coated material according to the fourth embodiment provided by example of the invention.

Figure 5: Cross-section of the coated material according to the fifth embodiment provided by example of the invention.

Detailed description:

With specific reference to the accompanying drawings, where similar indicative numbers indicate similar parts or similar layers in several scenes.

The coated materials according to the invention may be used for coated material applications such as pour-together monolithic windows, insulating glass window units, vehicle windows and any other suitable application involving one or more substrates such as glass substrates or in some cases such as filters for an electronic device. .

Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a coated material including at least one substrate (such as a glass substrate) that supports a multi-layer coating. The coating typically includes at least one functional layer such as an infrared (IR) reflecting layer that reflects or traps infrared rays. The infrared reflective layer may be made of or including a material such as silver, gold, or the like in various embodiments of the invention. The infrared reflective layer is usually between at least the first and second insulating layers of the paint. The lower dielectric layer directly beneath the functional layer and in contact with it (such as a layer containing silver) may be referred to as the base layer. Both the infrared (IR) reflecting layer and the substrate are typically largely transparent to visible light (e.g., at least about 30% transparent, preferably at least about 40% transparent, most preferably at least about 50% transparent Most preferably around 60 or 70% transparent at least).

In some embodiments provided by example of the present invention, it has been found that providing a coating consisting substantially of or including gallium-treated zinc oxide as the underlying layer or layers of that coating improves the physical and chemical durability of the coating in a manner that does not significantly diminish the electrical properties of the coated material. Noticeable, or its optical properties such as visible transmission or color. It is possible to provide one or more base layers based on gallium-cured zinc oxide in a specified coating in various embodiments of the present invention, and furthermore, it is possible to provide a gallium-cured zinc oxide based layer or layers in any type of radiation control coating. Solar or low-emitting or may be used in electronic means in various embodiments of the present invention, and the particular coatings described in this invention are for example purposes only unless otherwise noted in claims. In the figures, exemplary coatings made from or incorporating gallium-treated zinc oxide are indicated by reference numbers 7,7. In other embodiments, for example, the upper contact layer (11) may be made of or including zinc oxide treated with gallium.

An ideal silver-based coating includes at least one thin silver-based layer protected by at least one clear layer on each side. The silver (9,9) based layer is largely metallic or metallic in some exemplary embodiments. In some cases, the silver-based layer (9,9) is applied over a largely transparent insulating substrate (7,7) that may include or consist of zinc oxide (Zn) and gallium (Ga). In some of the presented embodiments, for example, the substrate may include crystalline zinc oxide with a specific crystallographic orientation, to ensure that the layer has optimal optical and electrical performance. Aluminum-doped zinc oxide for reactive deposition is commonly used as the substrate material of choice in reactive jetting (eg, large area direct current jetting of a magnetron). Aluminum is provided as a processing material in zinc oxide at least in part due to the need for specific electrical conductivity to the jetting target during target placement.

However, the aluminum-treated zinc oxide layer or layers may undergo stress in the paint layer, creating weak spots and contributing to an overall lack of paint durability, which may include paint corrosion. Coating stress becomes noticeable during heat treatment as the thermal effect occurs when the glass substrate is heated to high temperatures (eg at least about 580 degrees) and then cooled rapidly.

It was found that the cause of the pressure in the zinc or zinc oxide layer treated with aluminum is the lack of consistency between the ionic radius of the zinc molecules and the aluminum molecules. The ionic radius of the “host” zinc is approximately 74 picometers, while the ionic radius of aluminum is smaller (53.5 picometers). As a result of size mismatch, replacing the curing material with zinc aluminum may cause compression of the zinc oxide-based layer, the silver-based layer, and the entire paint stack.

Surprisingly it has been found that zinc oxide treated gallium may be used in some of the models presented for example in order to create a more durable coating. It is possible to provide a layer including a gallium-treated zinc oxide (e.g. 7,7) directly under and in contact with the functional layer including silver and gold (e.g. 9,9) in some embodiments provided for example. In some embodiments, the gallium-treated zinc oxide layer may be used as a highly transparent, insulating base layer in a coated form which may be used in the glass unit as a low-e coating or in an electronic device, for example. In other embodiments provided for example, the gallium-treated zinc oxide layer may also be used as a contact or top contact layer in the coating.

In some embodiments provided by example of the present invention, it is possible to tune a layer made of or including gallium-treated zinc oxide such that the stress in the layer is reduced. It has been found that gallium has a more ideal ionic radius (when used with zinc) than aluminium, and is therefore better suited to be used to treat zinc oxide-based coatings in some embodiments given, for example. Furthermore, gallium-treated zinc oxide coatings have been found to experience lower stress than aluminum-cured zinc oxide coatings so that the layer or layers may be used in lower emissivity coatings or in electronic methods that increase the overall durability without changing the visual appearance of the coated material or Significantly assigned performance data. The ionic radius of gallium is larger than the ionic radius of aluminum - approximately 62 picometers. It is believed that because the ionic radii of the gallium and zinc particles are close in size to those of aluminum and zinc, a lower layer pressure is obtained when replaced with aluminum gallium particles.

Hence, in some of the embodiments given for example, it is surprisingly typical for the ionic radius of the host particles to vary by no more than 15 picometres, the most favorable by no more than 13.5 picometres and the most preferable by no more than 12 picometres. In some embodiments provided, for example, it is possible to treat zinc oxide with a combination of both Al and Ga particles, as this will reduce the pressure. In some embodiments provided, for example, it is possible to treat the zinc oxide based layer (eg 7,7) with Al and Ga from about 0.25 to 10%, preferably from about 0.25 to 5% Al and Ga and preferably from about 1 to 5%. Al and Ga are combined. These alternative models are possible, although the preferred model is zinc oxide treated with those amounts of Ga (instead of aluminum).

In some embodiments given, for example, there is a smaller mismatch in size between the ionic radius of gallium and the ionic radius of zinc (e.g., the ionic radius of gallium and zinc is closer in value), and hence there is a contraction Less for zinc oxide treated with gallium compared to zinc oxide treated with aluminum. However, gallium is the preferred material for treating zinc oxide, but the present invention is not limited, but it is possible to use other materials that have the required ionic radius.

In some of the embodiments provided, for example, it is possible to use gallium-treated zinc oxide to replace the aluminum-treated zinc oxide layer or any other layer provided directly beneath and in contact with the silver- or gold-based layer. It was surprisingly found that using a layer of zinc oxide treated with gallium in this regard improves the chemical, electrical, and thermal stability of the coated material.

In some of the provided embodiments, for example, the zinc-based target is provided to form the gallium-processed zinc oxide-based layer (e.g., by reactive jetting). The target used may be either metal or ceramic. The jetting chamber may include oxygen or argon during the jetting process to jet the substrate including zinc oxide and gallium. The zinc-based target includes gallium to facilitate reactive jetting, in some of the provided embodiments e.g.

The zinc target may comprise gallium from about 0.01 to 10% (by weight), preferably from about 0.25 to 10% (by weight) most preferably from about 0.25 to 5% gallium (by weight) and preferably from about 1 to 5% or 1 to 4 % gallium (by weight). In addition, according to some embodiments provided by example of the invention, a layer based on zinc oxide treated jetting-deposited gallium (7,7) may comprise gallium from about 0.01 to 10%, preferably from about 0.25 to 10%. (by weight), most preferably about 0.25 to 5% gallium (by weight), preferably about 1 to 5% or 1 to 4% gallium (by weight).

The substrate (1) (e.g. glass substrate) upon which the coating comprising a layer containing zinc oxide treated gallium is applied may be maintained during deposition, at room temperature or may be heated in some embodiments provided e.g. . The substrate (1) can preferably be at a temperature less than about 300°C, preferably at less than about 200°C and preferably less than about 150°C and often at about room temperature.

The coated material may or may not be treated as described herein (e.g., see Figures 1 through 5) by heat treatment (e.g. thermally tempered) in some embodiments provided e.g. This heat treatment requires the use of temperatures of at least about 580 degrees Celsius, preferably at least about 600 degrees Celsius, and preferably at least 620 degrees Celsius. The terms “heat treatment” and “thermal treatment” as used hereinafter mean heating the material to a temperature sufficient to achieve a thermal effect on or heat strengthen the material containing glass. The definition includes, for example, heating the material in a kiln at a temperature of at least about 550°C, preferably at least about 580°C, preferably at least about 600°C, and most preferably at least about 620°C for a period sufficient to allow it to be affected or hardened. With heat. This may be for a minimum of about 2 minutes or up to about 10 minutes, for example in some of the embodiments provided.

Gallium-treated zinc oxide layers according to variations of the present invention achieve good mechanical and chemical durability. Therefore, coated materials incorporating these layers are advantageous in that they retain the good qualities associated with aluminum and, moreover, result in a layer package and a coated material that is less stressed and more durable.

In addition to using gallium-treated zinc oxide layers as an undercoat, according to embodiments provided for example in the present invention, they can be used in various locations such as above the UV reflective layer. The example coated materials described later and shown in Figures 1 through 5 are provided for example purposes only.

Figure 1 is a cross section of the coated material according to an embodiment provided by example of the present invention. The coating material comprises one (1) glass substrate (e.g., clear, green, bronze, or blue-green glass substrate having a thickness of from about 1.0 to 10.0 millimeters and preferably from about 1.0 millimeters to 6.0 millimeters), and a multilayer coating (or layer system) that exists on the substrate either directly or indirectly. As shown in Figure 1, the coating (25) includes a dielectric layer (3), a base layer including a gallium-treated zinc oxide (7), and an infrared reflective layer (9) that includes or is made of silver, gold, or the like. Likewise, an upper contact layer (11) which is made of or includes nickel oxide, Cr (e.g. NiCrOx) or the like, a dielectric layer (13) and a dielectric layer (15) which is made of or includes a material such as Silicon nitride, zirconium oxide, and silicon oxynitride, which are from In some cases, it is possible, for example, to have a protective top coating. It is possible that other layers or materials may be provided in some of the embodiments provided by example in this invention, and it is also possible that some layers may be removed or separated in some of the cases provided by example.

Also referring to the embodiment in Figure 1, for example only, one or both layers (3) and (13) may be made of or include silicon nitride in some embodiments provided e.g. In other embodiments, the embodiments may include a layer or layers (3) or (13) of silicon oxynitride or zirconium silicon oxynitride or other materials that are preferably insulating (such as layer (3) which may be made of or including oxide titanium). In one embodiment, for example, both layers (3) and (13) are made of or include silicon nitride. In another embodiment provided for example, both layers (3) and (13) include zirconium silicon oxynitride.

In another embodiment, for example of this invention, layer (3) is made of or includes zirconium silicon oxynitride and layer (13) is made of or includes tin oxide or silicon nitride.

In another embodiment, for example of the present invention, the layer (13) is made of or includes titanium oxide (such as TiO2) or silicon nitride. The example compositions provided for layers (3) and (13) are not by way of definition, and are not intended to be used for illustrative purposes only. The substantially transparent, low-insulating substrate (7) in some embodiments of this invention is made of or includes zinc oxide (e.g. ZnO) treated with a material such as Ga, e.g. to form ZnGaOx or ZnO:Ga in some embodiments provided e.g. , as described above. For example, in some embodiments provided by example of the present invention, it is possible to treat the zinc oxide (7)-based layer with Ga from about 0.01 to 10%, preferably from about 0.25 to 10% Ga and most preferably from about 0.25 to 5 %Ga, preferably around 1 to 5% or 1 to 4% Ga.

The use of gallium-treated zinc oxide (7) directly under and in contact with the silver-based layer (9) allows excellent silver quality to be achieved (e.g. low plate silver resistance and low emissivity).

The zinc oxide in layer (7) may also include other materials in some of the embodiments provided e.g.

The functional layer (9) is typically an infrared reflective layer that is preferably largely or entirely metallic or conductive, and may include or consist of silver (Ag), gold, or other suitable infrared reflective material. . The infrared (IR) reflecting layer (9) helps in allowing the coating to have lower emissivity or solar control such as lower emissivity, negligible panel resistance, etc.

The infrared (IR) reflecting layer (9) may be slightly oxidized in some embodiments of the present invention.

The upper contact layer (11) may be made of or including nickel oxide or Cr. In some of the presented embodiments, for example, the upper contact layer may be made of or including nickel oxide, chromium/chrome (Cr) oxide, a nickel alloy oxide such as nickel chrome oxide (NiCrOx), or other suitable material or materials such as Ti or Ti oxide.

The use of NiCrOx, for example in this layer (11) allows for improved durability in some cases presented e.g. In some embodiments of the present invention, it is possible for the NiCrOx layer (11) to be completely oxidized (i.e., fully identical to the chemical equation) or, conversely, to be only partially oxidized. In some cases, at least 50% of the NiCrOx layer can be oxidized (11). The contact layer (11) (e.g., made of or including nickel oxide or Cr) may or may not be oxidation gradient in various embodiments of the present invention. Gradual oxidation means that the degree of oxidation in the layer changes with the thickness of the layer such that, for example, it is possible for the contact layer to be oxidized less at the interface with the infrared (IR) reflecting layer immediately adjacent than at The portion of a contact layer or layers that is more or less distant from the immediately adjacent infrared reflective layer. Descriptions of several types of oxidation graded contact layers are given in US Patent No. 6,567,349, the contents of which are set forth by reference below.

The contact layer (11) (e.g., made of or including nickel oxide or chromium/chrome (Cr) oxide) may or may not be continuous in various embodiments of the present invention through the infrared (IR) reflecting layer layer (9) in its entirety. In other embodiments provided, for example, the contact layer (11) may be made of or including zinc oxide treated with gallium.

The dielectric layer (15), which may be an external coating in some cases for example, may be made of or includes silicon nitride (e.g.) or any other suitable material in some embodiments provided for example such as silicon nitride or zirconium oxide.

Optionally, other layers may exist above layer (15). Layer (15) is provided for durability purposes in some models presented, for example, and to protect the underlying layers. In certain embodiments provided for example, layer (15) may have an index of refraction (n) from about 1.9 to 2.2 and preferably from about 1.95 to 2.05.

It is possible that there is another layer or layers below or above the coating shown (25). Hence, even though the layer or coating system is “on” or supported by the substrate (1) (directly or indirectly), it is possible for there to be another layer or layers between them.

Therefore, the coating in Figure 1 may be considered “on” or “supported by” the undercoat (1) even if the other layer or layers are between the coat (3) and the undercoat (1). Furthermore, it is possible to remove certain layers of the coating shown in particular embodiments, while others may be added between the several layers or the several layers may be separated from the other layer or layers added between separate parts in other embodiments of the present invention without deviating from the overall spirit of the particular embodiments. of the present invention.

Although it is possible to use variable thicknesses in different embodiments of the present invention, the thickness and materials for example of the relevant layers on the glass substrate (1) in the embodiment of Figure 1 are as follows, with the glass substrate (1) glass substrate towards the outside.

Table 1 (Materials/Thickness for example, sample Figure 1)

Class

Rate (Angstrom)

Most Favorite (Angstrom)

example (angstrom)

TiOx, ZrSiOxNy

And Si3N4(Layer 3)

30 To 400

80 To 250

180

ZnGaOx (Layer 7)

10 To 300

60 To 120

50

Ag(Layer 9)

50 To 250

80 To 150

130

NiCrOx (Layer 11)

10 To 80

20 To 70

30

Sn02, ZrSiOxNy and/or Si3N4 (Layer 13)

40 To 400

100 To 200

160

Topcoat (Layer 15)

50 To 750

150 To 350

210

In some embodiments provided, for example, the coated materials hereinafter may have the following low emissivity, solar radiation, and optical properties as shown in Table 2 when measured monolithically.

Table 2: Solar/low-emissivity silver (combined) properties

Preferred properties

the public

Favorite

Most preferred

Rs(ohm/square):

<= 6.0

<= 5.0

<= 4.0

En

<=0.10

<= 0.08

<= 0.06

Tvis

>= 50

>= 60

>=70

Furthermore, coated materials comprising coatings according to certain embodiments provided by example of the present invention have the following optical characteristics (e.g., when the coating or coatings are on a substrate of clear soda lime silica glass (1) 1 to 10 mm, preferably about 4 mm). In Table 3, all variable values are measured monolithically.

Table 3: Optical properties given as example (monolithic)

Property

the public

Favorite

Tvis (or TY) (III.C, 2 degrees):

>=60٪

>= 70٪

a*t (III.C, 2°):

-6 to +6

-4 to +4

b*t (III.C, 2°):

-10 to +10.0

-8 to +8

L*t

>=89

>=90

RfY (III.C, 2 degrees):

<=15٪

<=12٪

a*f (III.C, 2°):

-10 to +10

-6 to +6

b*f (III.C, 2°):

-14.0 to +10.0

-10.0 to +5

L*f:

22 To 30

24 To 27

RgY (III.C, 2°):

<=15٪

12٪

a*g (III.C, 2°):

-10 to +10

-8 to +8

b*g (III.C, 2°):

-14.0 to +10.0

-10.0 to +5

L*f:

25 To 38

28 To 37

Furthermore, coated materials comprising coatings according to certain embodiments provided for example of the present invention have the following optical properties when the coated material is an insulating glass unit in some embodiments provided for example (e.g., for indication purposes, when the coating is on a layer Pure soda lime silica underglaze (1) (1 to 10 mm thick, preferably about 4 mm). Note that the U-value is measured according to EN 673.

Table 4: Optical properties given as example (insulating glass unit)

Property

the public

Favorite

Tvis (or TY) (III.C, 2 degrees):

>=60٪

>= 70٪

a*t (III.C, 2̊):

-10 to +10

-8 to +8

b*t (III.C, 2̊):

-10 to +10

-8 to +8

RoutsideY (III.C, 2̊):

<=18٪

<=16٪

a*out (III.C, 2̊):

-10 to +10

-8 to +8

b*out (III.C, 2̊):

-14.0 to +10.0

-9 to +9

RinsideY (III.C, 2 degrees):

<=18٪

16٪

a*inside (III.C, 2̊):

-10 to +10

-8 to +8

b*inside (III.C, 2̊):

-14 to +10

-10 to +9

U-value (insulating glass) (w/m2 K):

<=1.25

<=1.15

Figure 2 is a cross-section of another embodiment provided as an example of the present invention. The coating material in embodiment of Figure 2 includes a glass substrate (1), a dielectric layer (3), a dielectric seed layer (7), an infrared reflective layer (9), and an upper contact layer (11). An optional dielectric layer(s) (13) (such as tin oxide) and an optional topcoat layer (15). Layer (9) is as described above for the model in Figure 1. The upper contact layer (11) may be made of materials such as NiCrOx, NiCr or zinc oxide. In some of the presented embodiments, for example, where the contact layer (11) is made of or includes zinc oxide, it is possible to treat the zinc oxide with gallium. The insulating base layer may also include (7) zinc oxide treated with gallium, as described above.

There may be other layers. One or both layers (3) may be made of or include silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, tin oxide, titanium oxide, or zirconium silicon oxynitride in some embodiments provided by way of example of the present invention. Layer (15) may or may not be used as a topcoat in some embodiments provided by example of the present invention. The above characteristics in Tables 2 to 4 may apply to the model of Figure 2 in some cases.

Figure 3 is a cross-section of another embodiment provided as an example of the present invention. Figure 3 shows that it is possible to use a layer or layers of zinc oxide treated with gallium (7,7) in silver double stacks as well as in some embodiments provided by example of the present invention.

It is also possible to use Ga-treated zinc oxide-based base layers in tri-silver stacks or silver quad stacks in various embodiments given as examples. The coating in the embodiment of Figure 3 includes infrared reflective layers (9) and (9) (same description as above for layer 9), insulating base layers (7,7) (same description as above for layer 7), and top contact layers (11) (11) (same description as above for 11), the insulating layers (3) and (13) (such as silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, titanium oxide or the like), the potential upper coating and insulating layer (15), and the intermediate dielectric layer (4) ( Such as based on metal oxide such as tin oxide).

As mentioned above, the zinc oxide based layers (7) and (7) may be processed with materials such as Ga in some of the provided embodiments for example, and the upper contact layer (11) and (11) may be made of or including nickel oxide and Cr or Ti or Ti oxide in some embodiments provided for example. In other embodiments provided for example, the upper contact layers (11) and (11) may be made of or including zinc oxide which may or may not be treated with gallium. One or two insulating layers (3) and (13) may be made of or including silicon nitride or silicon oxynitride in some embodiments provided for example.

As stated above, this particular coating is for examples only and is not intended to be specific unless expressly claimed. As with other embodiments of this invention, the layer (3) may or may not be in direct contact with the glass substrate (1).

Hence, another layer or layers may exist between the substratum (1) and the substratum (3) in some cases for example.

Figure 4 shows another embodiment as an example of the present invention. In Figure 4, the dielectric layer, based on zinc oxide treated with Ga (11), is located on the infrared (IR) reflecting layer, which is based on silver (9), and is in contact with it, along with the similar layer (7), which is placed below. The layer based on silver and in contact with it.

Layers (3), (13) and (15) are preferably insulating layers in this model, the ideal materials being shown in Figure 4. The embodiment of Figure 4 includes a coating including a dielectric layer made of or including silicon nitride (3), an insulating base layer (7) made of a material such as gallium-treated zinc oxide, and an infrared (IR) reflecting layer. (9) made of silver or the like, an upper contact layer (11) made of zinc oxide (which may optionally be treated with gallium in some embodiments provided for example) and a dielectric layer (13) made of or Includes silicon nitride or the like, and a top coating made of or including silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride or zirconium silicon oxynitride (15).

In some embodiments given as an example of the embodiment of Figure 4, the thickness of layers (3) and (13) may be from about 100 to 300 angstroms (most preferably about 200 angstroms) and the thickness of layers (7) and (11) may be ) from about 100 to 300 Angstroms (the most preferable is that the thickness is about 180 Angstroms) and the thickness of the infrared (IR) reflecting layer (9) may be from about 80 to 200 Angstroms (the most preferable thickness is about 120 Angstroms) .

It is possible to adapt the thicknesses of different layers for potential uses of the coating (e.g. as painted or as heat treatable). Optionally, another NiCrOx contact layer may be located between the infrared (IR) reflecting layer (9) and the zinc oxide-based contact layer (11) in an embodiment of Figure 4 in some embodiments provided by example of the present invention. The zirconium oxynitride topcoat in Layer 4 is for example purposes only, and Layer 15 may include other insulating materials.

Figure 5 generally shows that the insulating layer or layers (3) may be located beneath the ZnO:Ga base layer (7) and that the infrared (IR) reflecting layer (9) including silver or gold is on the base layer. ZnO:Ga (7) and come into contact with it. The cover layer or layers (17) are above the layer (9), although there are other layers between them, such as the contact layer or layers. It is possible for the insulating layer or layers (21) to exist over the rest of the layers in the stack.

Although the present invention is described in connection with what is currently the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment, but, to the contrary, is intended to include numerous modifications and corresponding arrangements within the framework and spirit of the attached claims.