AquaShieldIR™ Hydrophobic Coating for Infrared Maritime & Naval Optics
Unmatched Durability and Optical Clarity in Coastal Conditions
Understanding the unique challenges faced
by maritime or naval security and surveillance
operations in wet, humid, and salty coastal
environments.
Traditional coatings often struggle to withstand
these extreme conditions, compromising the
durability and performance of infrared (IR) imaging
technology. To overcome this obstacle, we
have developed AquaShieldIR™, an advanced
hydrophobic IR coating specifically designed to provide
long-lasting protection and enhance the capabilities
of IR imaging lenses in maritime environments.
Unmatched Durability and Performance
AquaShieldIR™ coatings have undergone rigorous testing, surpassing the requirements set by the MIL 810 standard for durability testing in salt fog and salt solution. By setting the highest standards, we ensure a long-lifetime expectancy, making our coatings ideal for extreme sea environments.
Surpassing MIL Standard
Maritime and naval environments present challenges with high humidity and salt spray, significantly limiting the lifetime of traditional coatings. At Ophir, we rise above these challenges by exceeding the MIL 810 standard requirements. AquaShieldIR™ coatings have been extensively tested for 14 days in a salt fog chamber, showcasing exceptional durability and longevity.
AquaShieldIR™ Key Benefits:
- Water Repellency: AquaShieldIR™ creates a water-repellent surface on IR imaging lenses, preventing water droplets from adhering. This feature ensures clarity and visibility, even in rainy or foggy conditions, allowing naval and maritime personnel to effectively monitor and respond to security threats.
- Enhanced Visibility in Wet Conditions: By repelling water droplets, AquaShieldIR™ enables IR imaging lenses to perform optimally in wet conditions. Whether it's rain, fog, or operating in a maritime environment, AquaShieldIR™ ensures clear imaging and reliable performance.
- Improved Image Quality: AquaShieldIR™ prevents water droplets and contaminants from adhering to the lens surface, resulting in improved image quality. This helps reduce distortion or degradation and ensures accurate detection and identification of objects, vessels, or individuals, even in adverse weather conditions.

Rely on Ophir for Unparalleled Quality
AquaShieldIR™ has been meticulously developed and rigorously tested to meet the demanding needs of maritime and naval security and surveillance applications. Our commitment to exceed industry standards and deliver exceptional performance ensures that our coatings provide unmatched protection, visibility, and image quality in the harshest environments. When it comes to safeguarding coastal areas and maritime operations, Ophir is the trusted partner you can rely on.
AquaShieldIR Coating Specification:
| LWIR Ge Coatings | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family | Spec | Standard | AquaShieldIR (WA*>110deg) | ||
| Durability Type | HD | HC | HDH | HCH | |
| 1006 | 1007 | 1557 | 1561 | ||
| High Durability | Hard Carbon | High Durability Hydrophobic | Hard Carbon Hydrophobic | ||
| Severe Abrasion | MIL STD 675 & MIL STD 810 | V | V | V | V |
| Adhesion | V | V | V | V | |
| Humidity | 1 day | 1 day | 1 day | 1 day | |
| Salt Fog | 1+1 day | 7 day | 14 day | 14 day | |
| Salt Solution | 1 day | 1 day | 1 day | 1 day | |
| Wiper | - | V | - | - | |
| Acid Attack | - | V | - | - | |
| AVG Transmittance 8-12μm | 96% | 88% | 95% | 88% | |
| MWIR Si Coatings | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family | Spec | Standard | AquaShieldIR (WA*>110deg) | ||||
| Durability Type | HD | LRHC | HC | AquaShieldIR HDH | AquaShieldIR LRHCH | AquaShieldIR HCH | |
| 1178 | 1221 | 1039 | 1558 | 1564 | 1566 | ||
| High Durability | Low Reflectance Hard Carbon | Hard Carbon | High Durability Hydrophobic | Low Reflectance Hard Carbon Hydrophobic | Hard Carbon Hydrophobic | ||
| Severe Abrasion | MIL STD 675 & MIL STD 810 | V | V | V | V | V | V |
| Adhesion | V | V | V | V | V | V | |
| Humidity | 1 day | 1 day | 1 day | 1 day | 1 day | 1 day | |
| Salt Fog | 1+1 day | 1+1 day | 14 day | 14 day | 14 day | 21 days | |
| Salt Solution | 1 day | 1 day | 1 day | 1 day | 1 day | 1 day | |
| Wiper | - | V | V | - | V | V | |
| Acid Attack | - | V | V | - | V | V | |
| AVG Transmittance 3.4-5μm | 97% | 96% | 93% | 97% | 96% | 93% | |
| * WA = Wetting Angle | |||||||
| MWIR+LWIR Chalcogenide Coatings | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family | Spec | MWIR (3.4-5um) | LWIR (8-12um) | ||
| Durability Type | HD | HDH | HD | HDH | |
| 1455 | 1604 | 1405 | 1489 | ||
| High Durability | High Durability Hydrophobic | High Durability | High Durability Hydrophobic | ||
| Severe Abrasion | MIL STD 675 & MIL STD 810 | V | V | V | V |
| Adhesion | V | V | V | V | |
| Humidity | 1 day | 1 day | 1 day | 1 day | |
| Salt Fog | 1+1 day | 14 day | 1+1 day | 14 day | |
| Salt Solution | 1 day | 1 day | 1 day | 1 day | |
| Wiper | - | - | - | - | |
| Acid Attack | - | - | - | - | |
| AVG Transmittance 8-12μm | 97% | 96% | 94% | 93% | |
Transmittance vs. Durability for Standard & AquaShieldIR Coatings

AquaShieldIR™ Hydrophobic Coating Resources
Webinar: Durable IR Coatings for Maritime EO Systems(14:39) Hydrophobic Coatings(1,013.5 kB, PDF)