Journal of Coating Technology and Innovation

Optical and Thermal Coatings

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Light management, heat resistance, and energy efficiency are crucial functions that optical and thermal coatings provide across sectors including aerospace, automotive, electronics, construction, and renewable energy production. These coatings increase the interaction between the surface and light, heat, and radiation, thereby enhancing optical functionality, thermal shielding, and intelligent energy systems. Significant advancements in high-performance materials and deposition methods have greatly enhanced their durability, versatility, and effectiveness in harsh and extreme environments.

Anti-reflective coatings and others with high reflectivity or wavelength-specific properties are crucial for applications that necessitate these characteristics. These coatings, including anti-reflective types, improve light transmission in various items, such as eyeglasses, camera lenses, laser optics, and solar panels, by reducing glare and boosting efficiency. Unlike other coatings, high-reflectivity coatings are designed to maximize energy reflection in mirrors, telescopes, and laser systems. These specialized coatings provide protection against UV radiation and thermal damage, enhancing the performance of spacecraft optics, medical imaging, and industrial processes.

Components exposed to extreme temperatures benefit from thermal coatings that offer insulation and heat resistance. Thermal barrier coatings, composed of yttria-stabilized zirconia and silicon carbide-based ceramics, safeguard turbine blades, combustion engines, and industrial furnaces. These coatings, applied through processes such as plasma spraying, electron beam deposition, and chemical vapor deposition, decrease oxidation, thermal stress, and material deterioration.

Smart thermal coatings with adaptive properties have been developed to adjust to temperature fluctuations, incorporating thermochromic and radiative cooling systems, which are integrated into various applications including building exteriors, military equipment, and energy-efficient vehicles to manage heat passively. Advances in nano-engineered coatings, AI-driven formulations, and self-healing materials are expected to lead to improved durability, increased efficiency, and enhanced sustainability. Optical and thermal coatings are set to remain key drivers of technological advancements and environmental sustainability as industries increasingly focus on conserving energy and utilising high-performance materials.