What Is ITO?
ITO is short for Indium Tin Oxide. ITO is a transparent conducting oxide that can be applied to substrates such as glass and plastic. As it is optically clear and electrically conductive, these substrates can conduct electricity whilst remining transparent.
What is Indium?
Discovered in 1863, Indium is a soft metal compared to other alkali metals, that in pure form is quite rare, certainly when compared to aluminium, of which both belong in the same group. As a result, most indium produced for technology purposes is sourced as an extraction by-product from zinc and iron.
Due to the rarity of indium, ITO is not the cheapest option of transparent conducting oxides, but it offers consistently better performance, moisture resistance and precision etching.
Fun Fact! Like us humans, when bent Indium metal emits an audible squeak!
Indium is mostly used to create Indium Tin Oxide, with 90% Indium Oxide and 10% Tin Oxide composition. As we mentioned, an Indium Tin Oxide thin coating allows a clear substrate to remain clear whilst become electrically conductive.
Indium Tin Oxide Applications
Your touchscreen for one… whether that is your own personal smartphone or a touchscreen in a public environment (ticket kiosk, touch ATMs, retail touchscreens as a few examples), ITO is being utilised in many different situations.
ITO coatings are used in automotive aerospace and military situations especially within a touch panel device and touch lighting for instance. ITO is also used extensively in research and development applications, such as microscope slides for electroscopy.
Diamond Coatings Indium Tin Oxide
A leading manufacturer of quality ITO coatings, Diamond Coatings are experienced in the deposition of ITO coatings onto a variety of substrates and offer an extensive range of ITO coated products.
We also offer special anti reflective and optical coatings which are available for specific purposes.
To learn more or if you have a specific query, please do get in touch with us. A member of our technical team will get back to you as soon as possible.
