AG (Anti-glare) film is an optical film in which particles are deposited on the surface of a base film substrate to form unevenness. Using AG film on the surface of a display can improve the visibility of the display screen through diffuse reflection of incident light, reducing the glare of ambient light.

• Principle of AG film
• AG film applications
• AG film advantages and disadvantages
• DNP's strengths in AG film development and manufacturing
• New AG film products

The surface of AG film has an unevenness that is formed by creating a hard coat layer of particles deposited on the surface of the base film substrate. The glare of ambient light is reduced by diffuse reflection of incident light.

AG film is used in various applications such as LCD TVs, PC displays, notebook PCs, smartphones, touch panels, and car navigation systems. In these display applications, the film is applied to the surface, which means that in addition to the main feature there are other qualities that must be considered, such as transmittance and haze, scratch resistance, chemical resistance, and stain resistance.

A feature of AG film is that it improves screen visibility by diffusing incident light to reduce glare from ambient or surrounding light.
While it is desirable for black areas on the display to remain black even when exposed to ambient light, since the surface of ordinary AG film is uneven, this can result in diffuse reflection of light, which makes the screen whitish. What's more, the uneven shape interacts with the light emitted from the pixel matrix of the display to produce irregular granular noise, causing fine luminance distribution and sparkling. When this effect occurs, the screen display appears to flicker, degrading the display quality.

■ Product design based on the advantages and disadvantages of AG film
At DNP, based on the know-how we gained from our histroy with coated film, we have refined our technology for designing film that prevents reflected glare while minimizing contrast reduction caused by diffuse reflection. We can also make proposals for product designs that meet customer's unique applications, such as hardness, anti-scratch protection, adhesion, and durability.

■ Increasing demand for anti-glare features in each application
As displays become increasingly high-definition, the problem of glare is becoming more pronounced. As a result, the demand for film that decreases glare is increasing year by year. DNP is committed to continually improving the technology of its products and providing AG Film that is optimal for high definition displays.

■ Starting from ink design for high quality
In order to achieve excellent anti-reflection and anti-glare properties, AG film requires fine tuning of the surface irregularities by selecting and blending the optimum materials (particles). At DNP, we have the know-how to design materials and surface profiles that meet customer's requirements.

■ Production facilities capable of multi-layer coatings up to 3 layers
Multi-layer coating technology is necessary to provide high quality products at lower cost. At DNP, we have manufacturing facilities capable of producing multi-layer coatings up to 3 layers, enabling us to mass-produce multi-layer AG film with features such as anti-glare, contrast enhancement, antistatic, hard coat, and low reflectance.

■ Uniform coating possible even at ultra-wide 2,500mm
The demand for wide film is increasing due to the growing size of LCDs. At DNP, we have production lines capable of producing products up to 2,500 mm in width, and our advanced process technology enables us to apply uniform coatings to these wide film products.

In addition to the AG films detailed so far, we are developing products with even higher performance and additional features.

At DNP, we have developed a new "ultra anti-glare AGLR film" building on our excellent anti-glare technology. The results are almost no reflection from any angle with properties such as jet-blackness without any whiteness, image clarity, and high contrast. This is acheived by laminating two layers: an AG layer with optimized unevenness size and pitch, and an LR layer with antifouling properties that is made to fit with the uneven layer. In addition to large display applications such as TVs and PIDs (Public Information Displays), we plan to expand the use of this product to small display applications such as notebook PCs and monitors.

"Paper-like film for stylus touch devices" is designed for stylus tablets and provides a writing experience similar to writing with a pencil on paper. The anti-glare properties are kept, but it also reproduces the frictional forces similar to pencil on paper just like when you move and stop your pencil.

"Anti-bacteria and anti-virus AG film" has antibacterial properties in accordance with ISO 22196 and antiviral properties in accordance with ISO 21702, and has received certification by the Society of International sustaining growth for Antimicrobial Articles (SIAA) for its antibacterial and antiviral performance. Compared to conventional products without antibacterial/antiviral treatments, this product has the ability to reduce bacteria and viruses by more than 99% after 24 hours.

AG film conventionally had the problem that adding antibacterial and antiviral agents reduced its optical properties. DNP worked to optimize the coating materials and has achieved antibacterial and antiviral performance while maintaining the optical and mechanical properties. This allows manufacturers of panels for PCs, monitors, TVs, and others to use DNP's "anti-bacteria and anti-virus AG film" without having to change existing specifications.

At DNP, we have a wealth of expertise in AG film design and manufacturing. Please contact DNP for AG film development and manufacturing. With DNP, various proposals are possible to meet your specific needs.