Abstract: A glazing panel carrying a solar control coating stack comprising in sequence at least: a glass substrate base antireflective layer comprising at least one layer comprising a nitride of aluminium an infra-red reflecting layer; and a top antireflective layer. The nitride of aluminium confers, inter alia, good thermal stability on the coating, particularly during heat treatment.

Abstract: A flake-based pigment is provided having improved specular reflectance characteristics in the visible wavelength range. The flake-based pigment has a plurality of composite reflective flakes each formed of a support layer and a reflector layer on one or both opposing sides of the support layer. This flake structure exhibits a uniaxial compressive strength much greater than a corresponding uniaxial tensile strength. The structure of the flakes provides the benefits of rigidity and brittle fracture during manufacture and application processes, which ultimately provides favorable planar and specular reflectance characteristics to the pigment in the visible wavelength range. A variety of outer coating layers can be formed around the composite reflective flakes, such as various dielectric and/or absorber layers, to produce desired optical characteristics in the pigment.

Abstract: A glazing assembly is provided made of at least one transparent substrate having a stack thereon that includes an alternation of n functional layers and n−1 coatings, wherein the functional layers have reflection properties in the infrared and/or solar radiation and where n≧1 and where, in order to maintain the quality of the stack when the substrate is subjected to a heat treatment step, at least one of the following must be satisfied: the coating placed on top of at least one of the functional layers includes at least one barrier layer providing a barrier to at least oxygen and water; and at least one absorbent or stabilizing layer made of a material capable of absorbing or stabilizing the consituent material of the functional layer forms a part of either the coating placed on top of the functional layer and under the barrier layer or the coating placed beneath the functional layer; and a method for production of the glazing assembly.

Abstract: Heat barrier windows comprising glass substrates coated with a combinations of heat barrier coatings is described. The heat barrier windows may be produced quickly and inexpensively to produce desirable infrared reflective and emissive properties in the finished heat barrier window heretofore unavailable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a glass ceramic sintered product which contains as crystal phases: (i) a gahnite crystal phase; (ii) a celsian crystal phase containing needle-like crystals having an aspect ratio of not smaller than 3; and (iii) at least one kind of crystal phase selected from the group consisting of AlN, Si3N4, SiC, Al2O3, ZrO2, 3Al2O3.2SiO2 and Mg2SiO4; and has an open porosity of not larger than 0.3%. The glass ceramic sintered product is highly strong, has a high heat conductivity, a high Young's modulus, is dense, and can be produced through the firing at a low temperature of not higher than 1000° C., and is very useful as an insulating substrate that has wiring layers of a low-resistance conductor such as Cu, Ag or Au on the surface thereof or in the inside thereof.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic composition including at least a first component containing Al2O3, MgO and ROa (R is at least one element selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb and Gd; a is a value stoichiometrically determined in accordance with the valence of R); SiO2 as a second component; and a third component containing a glass composition including two or more components containing at least one selected from the group consisting of SiO2 and B2O3. A dielectric ceramic composition stably has a high strength in a high frequency band such as microwave, millimeter wave, etc., and has a small dielectric constant, a low loss, and a small temperature constant at capacitance.

Abstract: A transparent substrate is provided with metal components, such as metal wires and/or a stack of thin layers including at least one silver layer, to prevent the transmission of waves in the near infrared.

Abstract: A transparent electro-conductive structure comprising a transparent substrate and formed successively thereon a transparent electro-conductive layer and a transparent coat layer, which is used in, e.g., front panels of display devices such as CRTs. The transparent electro-conductive layer is composed chiefly of i) noble-metal-coated fine silver particles having an average particle diameter of from 1 nm to 100 nm, the fine silver particles being surface-coated with gold or platinum alone or a composite of gold and platinum, and ii) a binder matrix. A transparent electro-conductive layer forming coating fluid used in the production of this transparent conductive structure comprises a solvent and noble-metal-coated fine silver particles dispersed in the solvent and having an average particle diameter of from 1 nm to 100 nm, the fine silver particles being surface-coated with gold or platinum alone or a composite of gold and platinum.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plastic-coated metal plate for an automobile exterior plate which is a laminate metal plate coated on both faces or one face of the metal plate with a plastic layer, wherein the plastic layer has a surface tension of at least 30 mN/m, an elongation percentage of at least 30% at a tensile rate of 20 mm/minute/20° C. and a rupture strength of at least 600 kg/cm2 at a tensile rate of 20 mm/minute/20° C., and a part for a major external face side in a car body, wherein the above plastic-coated metal plate is cut, molded and joined to form the part for a major external face side in a car body, and a metal-exposed part thereof is coated by electrodeposition.

Abstract: A method of providing a decorative metal pattern on an electrically non-conductive substrate, such as a glass or plastic substrate, which includes applying a mixture of heat fusible material, such as glass or plastic, with a metal having a particle size less than about 500 mesh constituting at least 50% of the mixture, to the substrate in the desired pattern, heating the so-applied mixture until the heat fusible material fuses and bonds to the substrate, cleaning the substrate with the pattern thereon, and a electroplating the pattern with the desired finish metal. In one method in which the mixture includes glass, a negative resist is adhesively secured to the substrate and the mixture is applied. The resist disintegrates upon heating. In another method, used when the substrate is plastic, a mixture of plastic and metal in past form is applied to the substrate by silk screening or pad printing to form the pattern.

Abstract: An enhanced ceramic layer is produced for use in laminated ceramic devices. A layer of unfired ceramic material is provided and a coating of dielectric material (preferably alumina) is applied on at least one surface. The dielectric material forms a reaction barrier between excess glass forced to the surface during firing and metallization positioned on the coating. The coating can be applied by screen printing, spraying a slurry of dielectric material, or spraying a slurry of dielectric material and an adhesive allowing low pressure lamination.

Abstract: A silver/gold coated laminar substrate pearlescent product is improved by incorporating rhodium in an amount of up to about 2% into the coating and/or by overcoating with a silane in an amount of up to about 5%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a passive ceramic component with a carrier substrate, at least one first electrode, at least one first barrier layer, at least one dielectric, and at least one second electrode. A metal, an alloy, or a conductive oxide is used for the barrier layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transparent conductive layered structure having a transparent substrate and a transparent conductive layer and transparent coating layer formed in succession on this substrate, used in, for instance, the front panel of CRT, etc., display devices. The main components of said transparent conductive layer are noble metal microparticles with a mean particle diameter of 1 to 100 nm, wherein the microparticles are made from gold and/or platinum and silver and the gold and/or platinum content is within a range exceeding 50 wt % up to 95 wt %, and a binder matrix.

Abstract: A durable, heat treatable layer coating system of at least 10 layers including from the substrate outwardly: SnOx wherein x is ≦2.0, TiOX wherein x is <2.0 (or NiOx wherein x is less than 1.0, silver, NiOx wherein x is less than 1.0, SnOx wherein x is ≦2.0, TiOx wherein x is <2.0 or NiOx wherein x is less than 1.0, silver, Niox wherein x is less than 1.0, SnOx wherein x is ≦2.0, and Si3N4 as an overcoat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reflector, which exhibits a silver-containing layer on the exterior. A reflector, which is coated in such a way, transmits no UV rays through the housing.

Abstract: A low-reflection transparent conductive multi layer film to be attached to the front panel of cathode-ray tubes or plasma displays comprising, in the order described, a transparent substrate, a hard coat layer, a transparent conductive layer containing particles comprising at least one of a metal and a metal oxide, and at least one transparent protective layer which has anti-smudge properties, has a refractive index different from that of the transparent conductive layer and comprises a resin having a high dielectric power factor.

Abstract: A substrate is coated with a layer(s) or coating(s) that includes, for example, amorphous carbon in a form of diamond-like carbon (DLC). In certain embodiments, the DLC inclusive layer may be doped with at least one polar inducing dopant (e.g., Boron, Nitrogen, and/or any other suitable polar inducing dopant) in order to make the layer more polar and thus more hydrophilic so as to have a lower contact angle &thgr;. In other embodiments, where such doping is optional, the DLC may be exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in a manner sufficient to cause the contact angle &thgr; of the DLC layer to drop into a hydrophilic range (e.g., less than or equal to about 20 degrees).

Abstract: A gold paste for painting glass or a ceramic, exhibits gold color by being sintered. The gold paste comprises metal components having a metal composition within the following range: gold 82.0-99.1% by weight, bismuth 5.0-0.4% by weight, silicon 3.0-0.2% by weight, and the total amount of zirconium and/or aluminum 10.0-0.3% by weight. According to this, it is possible to provide a gold paste making it possible to form a gold-decorated portion which does not generates conductivity, neither generates spark nor is damaged even if it is exposed to a microwave that a microwave oven emits, is good in a massive feel and development of gold color, and has high-class feeling; and a gold-decorated product using this paste.

Abstract: A ceramic structure where a gold foil or a platinum foil having a high purity is enclosed between a first layer made of a ceramic material fused at a medium temperature or a glass material (glass substance) and a second layer made of a ceramic material fused at a low temperature and/or a glaze material, or made of a glaze material or fritting glass material. Since such a ceramic structure is light in weight and has excellent durability, the final product can be preferably applied to fashion accessories, ornaments on artificial teeth.

Abstract: A sunlight shielding translucent glass panel has a transparent glass sheet, an absorbing layer disposed on the transparent glass sheet, and transparent dielectric films and mainly Ag films that are alternately arranged on the absorbing layer.

Abstract: A transparent electro-conductive structure comprising a transparent substrate and formed successively thereon a transparent electro-conductive layer and a transparent coat layer, which is used in, e.g., front panels of display devices such as CRTs. The transparent electro-conductive layer is composed chiefly of i) noble-metal-coated fine silver particles having an average particle diameter of from 1 nm to 100 nm, the fine silver particles being surface-coated with gold or platinum alone or a composite of gold and platinum, and ii) a binder matrix. A transparent electro-conductive layer forming coating fluid used in the production of this transparent conductive structure comprises a solvent and noble-metal-coated fine silver particles dispersed in the solvent and having an average particle diameter of from 1 nm to 100 nm, the fine silver particles being surface-coated with gold or platinum alone or a composite of gold and platinum.

Abstract: A metal-ceramic composite substitute is produced by joining a metal plate to a ceramic substrate by using a brazing material in a paste form prepared by adding 10-14 parts by weight of a vehicle to 100 parts by weight of a powder of which the solid centent comprises 90.0˜99.5% of an Ag powder, 0˜9.5% of a Cu powder and 0.5˜4.0% of an active metal powder, and 0.0˜0.9% of a titanium oxide powder if necessary.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic composition having a high dielectric constant. The dielectric ceramic composition is sinterable at a low sintering temperature and has superior electrical and temperature characteristics. The dielectric ceramic composition comprises 100 parts by weight of a dielectric ceramic component represented by the general formula Ba{(CoxZn1−x)yNb1−y}zOw, in which, on a molar basis, 0<x<1, 0.313≦y<0.333, 0.993≦z<1, and w is an optional number, and 1 to 25 parts by weight of a SiO2—B2O3-based glass component is mixed therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for metal coating on a tube, particularly a tube for ozone generators which have been widely used for commercial and industrial purposes. Quartz or high aluminum-oxide-containing is a preferred material for the tube for an ozone generator. According to the present method, the tube is coated with a film of gold by putting the tube in a stove wherein the temperature and baking time is controlled. The present method for coating improves the durability of tubes operated at high temperature brought forth by micro-discharge, and thus extends the service life of the tube as used in an ozone generator.

Abstract: An optical filter for plasma displays, including: a transparent substrate; a first transparent dielectric layer formed on the transparent substrate with at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide (In2O3), tin oxide (SnO2) and cadmium oxide (CdO), or materials obtained by doping the metal oxides with at least one metal selected from the group consisting of indium (In), gallium (Ga), aluminum (Al), tin (Sn) and antimony (Sb); a silver (Ag) layer formed on the first transparent dielectric layer; a metal silver-diffusion barrier layer formed on the silver layer, for suppressing diffusion of silver into the overlaying layer; and a second transparent dielectric layer formed on the metal silver-diffusion barrier layer with at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide (In2O3), tin oxide (SnO2) and cadmium oxide (CdO), or materials obtained by doping the metal oxides wit

Abstract: A transparent substrate according to the invention, especially made of glass, provided on at least one of its faces with an antireflection coating, which includes a single thin layer formed from at least two materials of different refractive index, the composition of which thin layer varies continously through its thickness e.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic composition comprises 100 parts by weight of a primary constituent, about 0.1 to 25 parts by weight of a first secondary constituent comprising a SiO2-based glass not containing lead oxide, and about 20 parts by weight or less of a second secondary constituent comprising manganese oxide (MnO). The primary constituent is represented by the formula x(Ba&agr;Ca&bgr;Sr&ggr;)O-y[(TiO2)1−m(ZrO2)m]-zRe2O3 wherein x+y+z=100 on a molar basis, &agr;+&bgr;+&ggr;=1, 0≦&bgr;+&ggr;≦0.8, 0<m<0.15, and Re is at least one rare earth element. The mole fraction (x, y, z) of (Ba&agr;Ca&bgr;Sr&ggr;)O, (TiO2)1−m(ZrO2)m, and Re2O3 lies within a range surrounded by points in a ternary diagram, depending on the content of the ceramic capacitors. The dielectric ceramic composition can be sintered at low temperatures and exhibits a high specific dielectric constant and a high Q value.

Abstract: A multicolor organic light emitting device employs vertically stacked layers of double heterostructure devices which are fabricated from organic compounds. The vertical stacked structure is formed on a glass base having a transparent coating of ITO or similar metal to provide a substrate. Deposited on the substrate is the vertical stacked arrangement of three double heterostructure devices, each fabricated from a suitable organic material. Stacking is implemented such that the double heterostructure with the longest wavelength is on the top of the stack. This constitutes the device emitting red light on the top with the device having the shortest wavelength, namely, the device emitting blue light, on the bottom of the stack. Located between the red and blue device structures is the green device structure.

Abstract: A glazing coated with at least one layer having thermochromic properties comprising vanadium oxide, and also with at least one other layer having thermal properties, such as an infrared reflecting layer, and/or at least one other layer having optical properties, such as antireflection in the visible, and/or electrical conduction properties; and having a particular application for making solar control glazing.

Abstract: A multilayer board includes a laminate of glass-containing insulating layers, each provided with an electrode on the surface thereof. Each of the glass-containing insulating layers comprises crystallizable glass. The viscosity of the crystallizable glass before crystallization is 106.0 Pa·s or less. This multilayer board is produced as follows. A plurality of green sheets comprising crystallizable glass having a viscosity before crystallization of 106.0 or less is prepared. An electrode paste for forming an electrode is applied on a surface of each of the green sheets. The green sheets with the electrode paste are laminated and compacted to form a laminate compact. Finally, the laminate compact is fired.

Abstract: A process for producing a coating on a refractory structural member, in which a noble metal alloy is applied as a coating material to the refractory structural member. The noble metal alloy contains, among other constituents, an oxidizable substance, which includes boron and/or phosphorus and/or antimony and/or arsenic. The refractory structural member and the coating are heated at least once in an oxygen-containing atmosphere to a temperature T that is greater than or equal to the liquidus temperature TL of the noble metal alloy The oxidizable substance is oxidized during this heating process, and the oxide that has formed is at least partially vaporized. The temperature T is maintained until the proportion of oxidizable substance in the coating is <0.1 atomic percent, and the coated refractory structural member is then cooled.

Abstract: To present a material for stamper free from deterioration of stamper quality due to reaction with an electron-attracting radical contained in the resist material. An electrode formed on the surface of a patterned resist film 2 for electrocasting a stamper material is formed of a nickel alloy thin film 3 comprising Ni element as a principal component, and Ru element added in a range of less than 25 percent by weight.

Abstract: A colored film-coated ultraviolet/infrared absorbent glass plate is formed of base glass, colorants, and a colored film. The base glass includes 65 to 80 wt. % SiO2; 0 to 5 wt. % Al2O3; 0 to 10 wt. % MgO; 5 to 15 wt. % CaO; 10 to 18 wt. % Na2O; 0 to 5 wt. % K2O; 5 to 15 wt. % total amount of MgO and CaO; 10 to 20 wt. % total amount of Na2O and K2O; 0.05 to 0.3 wt. % of SO3; and 0 to 5 wt. % B2O3. The colorants includes 0.35 to 0.55 wt. % total iron oxide (T-Fe2O3) expressed as Fe2O3; 0.08 to 0.15 wt. % FeO; 0.8 to 1.5 wt. % CeO2; and 0 to 0.5 wt. % TiO2. FeO expressed as Fe2O3 is equal to or more than 20 wt. % and less than 27 wt. % of T-Fe2O3. The colored film has a red color shade with a thickness between 30 nm and 300 nm and includes fine particles of gold and silicon oxide of more than 50 wt. % and equal to or less than 95 wt. %. The colored film is applied onto a surface of the ultraviolet/infrared absorbent glass plate.

Abstract: To present a material for stamper free from deterioration of stamper quality due to reaction with an electron-attracting radical contained in the resist material. An electrode formed on the surface of a patterned resist film 2 for electrocasting a stamper material is formed of a nickel alloy thin film 3 comprising Ni element as a principal component, and Ru element added in a range of less than 25 percent by weight.

Abstract: A glazing assembly is provided made of at least one transparent substrate having a stack thereon that includes an alternation of n functional layers and n-1 coatings, wherein the functional layers have reflection properties in the infrared and/or solar radiation and where n≳1 and where, in order to maintain the quality of the stack when the substrate is subjected to a heat treatment step, at least one of the following must be satisfied: the coating placed on top of at least one of the functional layers includes at least one barrier layer providing a barrier to at least oxygen and water; and at least one absorbent or stabilizing layer made of a material capable of absorbing or stabilizing the consituent material of the functional layer forms a part of either the coating placed on top of the functional layer and under the barrier layer or the coating placed beneath the functional layer; and a method for production of the glazing assembly.

Abstract: A solder composition that bonds well to oxides and other surfaces to which solder bonding is conventionally difficult is provided. The solder is particularly useful for reliable bonding and packaging of optical components that often have oxide surfaces. The solder composition exhibits a microstructure containing a solder matrix in which is distributed fine, micron-scale islands of rare-earth-containing intermetallic particles. The existence of the islands makes the rare earth elements better available for bonding, and reduce the extent to which the rare earths are oxidized. Advantageously, the solder contains Au and/or Ag, in which the rare earth elements tend to have some solid solubility. Due to this solubility, the Au and/or Ag tend to provide some additional protection of the rare earths against oxidation, and thereby also provide accelerated dissolution of the rare earth into the molten solder.

Abstract: A heat-resistant transparent glass article is formed with an inner sandwich structure comprising a metallic infrared-reflective metal film sandwiched between thin protective silicon films, the inner sandwich structure in turn being sandwiched between transparent dielectric films and the film stack being deposited upon a glass substrate. One or both of the transparent dielectric films may also contain silicon.

Abstract: A process for forming a silver coating on a surface of a vitreous substrate is described. The process comprises an activating step in which said surface is contacted with an activating solution, a sensitising step in which said surface is contacted with a sensitising solution, and a subsequent silvering step in which said surface is contacted with a silvering solution comprising a source of silver to form the silver coating. The process is characterised in that said activating solution comprises ions of at least one of bismuth (III), chromium (II), gold (III), indium (III), nickel (II), palladium (II), platinum (II), rhodium (III), ruthenium (III), titanium (III), vanadium (III) and zinc (II).

Abstract: The invention provides an article comprising a solder that bonds well to oxides and other surfaces to which solder bonding is problematic. The solder composition contains one or more rare earth elements, which react with the oxide or other surface to promote bonding, and further contains sufficient Au and/or Ag to act as carriers for the rare earths. Because rare earths have some solid solubility in Au and Ag, the problem of intermetallic formation is lessened or eliminated, and improved bonding to oxide surfaces is attained.

Abstract: A thin multilayer coating having reflection properties in the infrared and/or in the solar radiation range of the low-emissivity type for windows comprises a lower dielectric antireflection treatment layer, at least one silver-based functional layer, at least one metallic protection layer adjacent to the silver layer and an upper dielectric antireflection treatment layer. The upper dielectric antireflection treatment layer comprises a lower partial layer made of SnO2, ZnO, TiO2, Bi2O3 or Al2O3 and an upper partial layer made of a mixed oxide based on zinc and aluminium, especially one having a spinel structure of the ZnAl2O4 type.

Abstract: An insulated double glazing having the following layers in the following order: first dielectric layer, first layer with infrared reflection properties, second dielectric layer, second layer having infrared reflection properties, and third dielectric layer. The thickness of the first layer with infrared reflection properties is 50% to 64% of that of the second layer having infrared reflection properties.

Abstract: A multicolor organic light emitting device employs vertically stacked layers of double heterostructure devices which are fabricated from organic compounds. The vertical stacked structure is formed on a glass base having a transparent coating of ITO or similar metal to provide a substrate. Deposited on the substrate is the vertical stacked arrangement of three double heterostructure devices, each fabricated from a suitable organic material. Stacking is implemented such that the double heterostructure with the longest wavelength is on the top of the stack. This constitutes the device emitting red light on the top with the device having the shortest wavelength, namely, the device emitting blue light, on the bottom of the stack. Located between the red and blue device structures is the green device structure.

Abstract: A hermetic glass-to-metal seal between a conductive pin and an outer body, wherein a corrosion-resistant noble metal (e.g., gold) coating is applied to the conductive pin before the hermetic seal is formed. The noble metal-coated conductive pin is located in glass having a softening point less than about 650° C. and disposed in a cavity of the outer body. This is accomplished by inserting the coated conductive pin into a bore in a glass preform, heating the assembly to a temperature in excess of the softening point of the glass but less than about 700° C., and cooling the assembly. The coefficients of thermal expansion of the components of the assembly are preferably selected such that the resulting assembly is a hermetic compression seal.

Abstract: Provided is an electrically conductive paste adapted to be sintered at the same time when a ceramic body is being sintered, wherein said paste has a contraction starting temperature that is higher than the contraction ending temperature of said ceramic body during the sintering treatment. Also provided is an electrically conductive paste comprising an electrically conductive component and an organic vehicle component, wherein said electrically conductive component comprises an electrically conductive powder mainly comprising silver, the particles of said electrically conductive powder being coated with a metal oxide having a melting point higher than that of silver.

Abstract: Heat wave-reflective or electrically conductive substantially transparent sheets, such as glazing sheets, which include a transparent solid substrate and one or more sequential transparent gold-clad silver layers supported by the substrate are disclosed. These sheets have superior corrosion resistance to equivalent sheets made without the gold cladding or made with gold/silver alloys. Sputter-deposit methods for producing these sheets are also disclosed.

Abstract: A colored film comprising gold, bismuth oxide and an oxide other than bismuth oxide.

Abstract: A heat-treatable coated glass article comprises a substantially transparent substrate with a substantially transparent dual-function coating on a surface of the substrate. The coating provides low emissivity and high anti-solar performance properties. It comprises a first anti-reflection layer of dielectric material, preferably tungsten oxide. An infra-red reflective layer of silver metal and/or copper metal overlies the anti-reflection dielectric layer. A buffer layer, such as a chromium buffer layer, is positioned between the anti-reflection layer and the infra-red reflective layer. Also, optionally, a color control layer may be used, preferably being positioned between the anti-reflection layer and the substrate. A second buffer layer directly overlies the infra-red reflective layer. A second anti-reflection layer overlies the second buffer layer. In accordance with a method of manufacturing the coated article, each of the layers of the coating is deposited in turn by D.C.

Abstract: A composition for transparent coloration of a glass surface. The composition has fine gold (Au) particles; fine silver (Ag) particles; a fixing agent including an organic Ti compound, an organic Fe compound, and an organic Si compound; a binder resin; and an organic solvent. The relationship between the amount of gold and silver particles to the fixing agent as a ratio of the number of metal atoms is as follows: (Au+Ag)/(Ti+Fe+Si)<½.

Abstract: A heat-resistant transparent glass article is formed with a film stack deposited on a glass substrate, the film stack comprising one or more infrared reflective films each bearing on its surface facing away from the substrate a protective film of niobium metal having a thickness of up to 25 Å and preferably in the range of about 7 Å to 20 Å. A protective film of niobium metal or metal oxide may be formed on the other surface (facing the substrate) of each infrared reflective film. Metal nitride films such as silicon nitride may be employed between neighboring infrared reflective films, and as an outer protective film.