For:
Fosta-Tek Optics, Inc.
320 Hamilton Street
Leominster, MA 01453
USA

Media Contact:
THOMAS RANKIN ASSOCIATES
Thomas R. Rankin, APR
+1 (401) 884-4090
email: tomr@trankin.com

New Fosta-Tek Hardcoat Chemistry for Lenses and Eyewear Resists Fog and Abrasion

-- Fosta Fog-Free™ coating meets US Military and new European Standards
-- Retains properties after repeated cleaning in soap and hot water

-- To download MS Word file, go to: http://www.trankin.com/releases/fto/FTO8067.asp

Leominster, MA -- Polymer optics manufacturer Fosta-Tek Optics has announced the development of an innovative new anti-fog coating chemistry for polycarbonate lens and eyewear applications. Developed in response to new military and European eyewear standards for improved anti-fog and abrasion resistance performance, the new coating will be marketed under the trade name Fosta Fog-Free™ performance coating.

"The linkage between abrasion resistance and anti-fog is a problem for most anti-fog coatings, which are very soft," said Jim LeBlanc, Vice President of Fosta-Tek. "Our new Fosta Fog-Free coating acts as a hardcoat and is durable enough to stand up to repeated cleanings with hot water and soap or household detergents. It is therefore a more permanent coating technology with a longer useful life in the field, a feature especially important for military eyewear."

The coating was developed in response to new standards established by the Army's PEO Soldier for eyewear and goggles, and European Standard 166 for safety eyewear. Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, VA, Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier designs, develops, procures, fields, and sustains everything US soldiers wear or carry. The new Army specification calls for "complete resistance to fogging." The coating must show no more than six percent haze increase when tested for abrasion resistance, and must also demonstrate superior resistance to degradation resulting from contact with DEET ("Bug spray") and bleach.

"Traditional anti-fog coatings consist either of treatments to absorb condensation, which quickly become saturated, or dual purpose coatings based on siloxane and wetting agents which have limited tolerance for water immersion and offer only temporary anti-fog properties," said LeBlanc. The Fosta Fog-Free coating utilizes a flexible poly-hardcoat with permanent anti-fog and anti-static properties built in. Moisture that condenses on the lens surface will sheet out without reducing scratch resistance.

An approved independent test lab has recently certified Fosta Fog-Free coated lenses for a leading U.S. military eyewear manufacturer. Other pending applications for the Fosta Fog-Free coating include a cluster lens for ATVs and motorcycles, and eyewear for industrial safety and firefighter applications.

"Fosta Fog-Free coating also has some chemical resistance attributes that we believe should make it suitable for PC optics in medical environments," said LeBlanc. The coating is available as a dip-coating service to customers of Fosta-Tek Optics for optical components manufactured from polycarbonate.

Fosta-Tek Optics specializes in the design and manufacture of polymer-based optical components and coatings for OEM customers. A one-stop shop for the design and manufacture of optical components, Fosta-Tek is a leading North American source for military, safety and consumer lenses, as well as a range of industrial optics. Fosta-Tek's innovative chemical coatings and integrated molding operations provide economical solutions for high volume requirements. Privately owned and headquartered in Leominster, MA, the company is ISO 9001:2000 Registered and serves a diverse customer base in industrial, consumer, medical, automotive, homeland security and military markets.

For additional product information, contact:

Fosta-Tek Optics, Inc.
320 Hamilton Street
Leominster, MA 01453

Tel: (978) 534-6511
Fax: (978) 537-2168
Email: jmorrison@fosta-tek.com
Website: http://www.fosta-tek.com