All about MR Series...(MR-8, MR-7, MR-10, MR-174)

"Mitsui Chemicals is a Japanese Chemicals company. The company mainly deals in performance materials, petro and basic chemicals and functional polymeric materials."

What is MR Lenses: (MR-8, MR-7, MR-10, MR-174)

    Excellent optical materials with high refractive index, high Abbe number, low specific gravity and high impact resistance are provided by polymerizing monomers of MR™ Series. MR™ Series is especially suitable for ophthalmic lenses and is known as the first thiourethane based high index lens material. MR™ Series offers a variety of products to provide the best solution for optical lens users.

R.I. 1.60： MR-8™

The best balanced high index lens material with the largest share of the R.I. 1.60 lens material market. MR-8™ is suited to any strength ophthalmic lens and is a new standard in ophthalmic lens material.

R.I. 1.67： MR-7™ & MR-10™

Global standard R.I.1.67 lens material. Great materials for thinner lenses with strong impact resistance. Material Characteristics MR-7™   : Better color tintability MR-10™ : Higher heat distortion temperature

R.I. 1.74： MR-174™

Ultra high index lens material for ultra thin lenses. Strong prescription lens wearers are now free from thick and heavy lenses.

MR™ Series is a brand name of the raw material for optical lenses.
MR™ Series based lenses are available from most leading lens manufacturers.

Comparison of physical properties of lenses made with MR™ Series vs. other optical materials

	MR™ Series				Other
	MR-8™	MR-7™	MR-10™	MR-174™	Poly carbonate	Aclyric (RI:1.60)	Middle Index	ADC (CR-39® RAV7®)	Crown Glass
Refractive Index (ne)	1.60	1.67	1.67	1.74	1.59	1.60	1.55	1.50	1.52
Abbe Number (νe)	41	31	31	32	28-30	32	34-36	58	59
Heat Distortion Temp. (ºC)	118	85	100	78	142-148	88-89	-	84	>450
Tintability	Good	Excellent	Good	OK	None	Good	Good	Good	None
Impact Resistance	Good	Good	Good	OK	Good	OK	OK	OK	Poor
Static Load Resistance	Good	Good	Good	OK	Good	Poor	Poor	Good	Good

MR Series Features:

• High refractive index for thinner and lighter lenses.

MR™ Series offers 3 different refractive index products (R.I. 1.60, 1.67, 1.74).
With higher index materials, it is possible to achieve thinner lenses with the same strength.

• Superb optical quality for wearer comfort

• Both high refractive index and high Abbe number provide optical performance similar to glass lenses.
• Glass mold-casted MR™ Series shows minimal stress-strain.

High Abbe number material like MR-8™ minimizes prism effect (Chromatic aberration) of lenses and provides comfortable view to all wearers.

High Abbe Number Material

Low Abbe Number Material

MR™ Series resin is uniformly polymerized in a glass mold. Compared to the injection molded Polycarbonate lens, MR™ Series lens shows minimal stress strain and offers stress free clear vision.

Stress Strain Observation
(Crossed Nichol method using the polarizing film and white light source)

• Mechanical strength to protect wearers from accidental injury. 

High impact and static load resistance helps promote wearer eye safety. (Pass US-FDA drop ball test standards) Good tensile strength for fashionable rimless frames. Good processability for precisely designed progressive lenses (Advantage of thiourethane materials) .

• High impact resistance of MR-8™ helps protect wearers form accidental injury.

FDA Drop Ball Test

MR-8™ shows good impact resistance

US-FDA (Food and Drug Administration) Sec. 801.410
“Use of impact-resistant lenses in eyeglasses and sunglasses”

Static Loading Test

Quasi-static loading type test for minimum robustness

MR-8™ shows good static load resistance

 

• MR-8™ lens shows good tensile strength.
• MR-8™ is widely recognized as the best material for rimless frames.

Tensile Test

Tensile test results

MR-8™ lens broke at 72kg tensile force
(All other material lenses broke at smaller forces)

Lens deformation

MR-8™ lens showed no deformation of drilled hole
(60kgf Tensile Force)

 

• MR-8™ is adequate for the long time usage of rimless glasses.

“ Butterfly Test ”for Rimless Frames

Endurance test under cyclic load for spectacle frames

JIS B7283 Specification; Broke at 20,000 strokes

• Durability during long time usage under severe conditions

• Good weatherability provides minimal change in lens color after years of usage.
• Good compatibility with coating materials.

Weatherbility Test

Accelerated test to observe lens color change after long-term usage.

QUV Test: 0.50W/m², 50ºC, 100hrs

MR-8™ shows only minor color change after exposure to strong UV light.
Wearers can enjoy clearer lenses after long-term usage.

 

Heat Resistance Test

Evaluation of cracks in coating after high temperature conditions.

Test condition: 90ºC, 15 min.

Test condition: 80ºC, 15 min.

Good heat resistance and coating compatibility of MR-8™ prevent coating cracks under servere conditions.

 

Cross-cut Adhesion Test

1) Cut a coating layer in a reticular pattern.
2) Apply tape over the pattern and then remove it.

MR-8™ showed very good compatibility with coating materials.
Lens wearers can enjoy unchanged high performance lens coating after long-term usage.

How the MR lenses are produced?

1. Preparation of MR™ Series

Mix MR™ monomer (component) A & B with additives, then degas the MR™ monomer mixture.

2. Filling

Fill molds with the MR™ monomer mixture.

3. Polymerization

Place the filled molds into ovens, where they undergo a heat-cycle, turning the MR™ monomer mixture into a MR™ lens.

4. Grinding / Polishing

Grind and polish the surface of the MR™ lens to create a curvature for required strength.

5. Tinting

Tint the surface of the MR™ lens.

6. Coating

Hard Coating Anti Reflection Coating

Coat the surface of the MR™ lens to protect from scratches, reflection etc.

7. Final Inspection

Inspect the coated lens.

"MR-8 is the best in hi-index lenses"

credit: wikipedia, mitsuichem.com

This is the revolution, Transitions Vantage!

Revolutionary new Transitions Vantage lenses are designed to both darken and polarize upon UV exposure to deliver noticeably crisper, sharper vision, even in the brightest outdoor light and glare.

On May 1st - 2012, The First and Only Everyday
Photochromic Lenses with Variable Polarization!

There are clear lenses that darken. There are sunglasses that are polarized. But never before have everyday eyeglass lenses been able to both darken and polarize in bright, outdoor light. Until now.

Introducing new Transitions® Vantage™ lenses, the photochromic lenses you know and love plus the added benefits of variable polarization — polarization that increases as the lenses get darker in outdoor light. That means, as Transitions® Vantage™ lenses get darker, vision gets crisper, sharper and more vivid. While glare is reduced in even the brightest outdoor conditions.

We invite you to explore the world of new Transitions® Vantage™ lenses and see for yourself. Meeting your needs – and meeting your patients’ needs – require a true vision for what’s next.

Click the here to see the presentation of Transitions Vantage launch

FAQ

Answers To Frequently Asked Questions.

Q: What is variable polarization?

A: Transitions® Vantage™ lenses will have a variable level of polarization efficiency (how well a lens transmits vertical light relative to how well it blocks horizontal light) depending on the amount of UV exposure. Until now, polarization only existed as a static film embedded in conventional lenses. Variable polarization is a new-generation technology that adapts to UV exposure, orienting to the angle at which light reaches the eyes. In other words, polarization increases and decreases when exposed to UV outdoors and goes away altogether, indoors.

Q: Do they replace original Transitions® VI lenses?

A: No, they represent another choice in everyday lenses for your patients, an additional alternative to the balanced photochromic performance of Transitions VI lenses and superior darkening and in-car performance of Transitions®XTRActive™ lenses.

Q: Why should I recommend Transitions® Vantage™ lenses?

A: They are the only lenses that offer the additional benefits of variable polarization outdoors along with the adaptive-lens benefits millions of patients have come to know and love about Transitions® lenses. Also, wearer test results illustrate just how much patients love this new combination of truly breakthrough technologies.

Q: To whom should I recommend Transitions® Vantage™ lenses?

A: Does your patient currently own and enjoy photochromic lenses? Spend a lot of time outdoors? Is he or she interested in new technologies? Do they see the value of innovative and premium features for everyday eyewear and perhaps even currently wear premium lenses? If the answer is yes to any of these, you’ve probably found a patient who will most likely enjoy Transitions®Vantage™ lenses.

Q: How dark do Transitions® Vantage™ lenses get?

A: Wearers in user testing perceived Transitions® Vantage™ lenses to get darker than Transitions VI lenses. We attribute this to the addition of variable polarization and the fact that Transitions® Vantage™ lenses afford more comfortable, crisper and sharper vision, while also helping to reduce glare.

Q: Are they designed to be worn indoors?

A: Yes. Because they’re virtually clear indoors – and are not polarized in the absence of UV rays – they can be worn as a replacement for ordinary clear lenses for everything from reading and cooking to watching television, working on the computer and beyond.

Q: Do they activate behind the windshield of a car?

A: No. Similar to original Transitions VI lenses, the fact that automotive glass blocks UV rays prevents them from working in a car. But then again, ordinary clear lenses don’t change in a car either. Many of your patients may still benefit from a pair of sunglasses. Another alternative is Transitions XTRActive™ lenses which do activate in the presence of visible light behind the windshield. Ask your patients about those specific features most important to them: variable polarization, in-car activation, outdoor darkness etc. Then recommend the right choice for your patients accordingly.

Q: So they’re not a sunglass replacement?

A: They are not. Everyday Transitions® lenses are designed to replace ordinary clear lenses and to be worn both indoors and outdoors. However, we feel many of your patients will see a benefit from a pair of sunglasses as well. The Transitions line of adaptive performance sunwear is designed to adapt by darkening and changing color to enhance performance during specific outdoor activities.

Q: What about performance under extreme temperature conditions?

A: As with all photochromic technology, Transitions® Vantage™ lenses are influenced by temperature. The colder the temperature, the darker and more polarized they become when fully activated.

Q: Can Transitions® Vantage™ lenses be recommended with premium anti-reflective treatments?

A: They should be recommended in all cases with a premium anti-reflective treatment. Combined, the technologies are ideal for patients looking for the best in enhanced vision.

Q: Can Transitions® Vantage™ lenses help me grow my business?

A: Absolutely. You’ll be providing your patients with a wearer experience like no other while meeting their vision needs at the same time. Like with all Transitions® lenses products, your patients will be quite satisfied which reflects on you and helps you to turn customers into patients and current patients into long-time repeat visitors to your practice.

Q: What about color availability?

A: Transitions® Vantage™ lenses are available in a gray tint only.

• 8 out of 10 patients were satisfied experiencing variable polarization and adaptive technologies together, outdoors.
• 9 out of 10 patients are satisfied with the indoor clarity of the lenses.
• 3 out of 4 patients agree that vision clarity is enhanced in sunny, outdoor conditions.
• 3 out of 4 patients agree that Transitions® Vantage™ lenses deliver crisper, sharp vision outdoors in sunny weather.
• 8 out of 10 agree – they’ve never seen anything like new Transitions® Vantage™ lenses .

Credit : http://www.transitionsvantage.com