High-index lenses
MR™
Material for eyeglass lenses
Applications detail
Applications
Characteristics
- Introduction
- Basic information
- Details of Characteristics
MR™ Series - High Refractive Index Monomers for Premium Ophthalmic Lenses
The MR™ Series is a line of optical materials with high refractive index, high Abbe number, low specific gravity and high impact resistance. The lens material is suitable for ophthalmic lenses and is known as the first thiourethane based high-index lens material. Offered in a variety of grades, MR Series yields safe, clear and lightweight lenses for optical users.
Due to its unique physical properties and characteristics, the eyeglass lens material can be used in a variety of premium lens applications such as:
- Wide Color Range Sunglasses
- Photochromic Lens System– SunSensors MR™
- Polarized Lens
- Fashion forward, sophisticated eye designs such as rimless glasses
High Reflective Index for Thinner and Lighter Lenses
The optical lens material is suitable for use in the development of light weight lens. The MR™ Series offers 3 different refractive index products (R.I. 1.60, 1.67, 1.74). With the inclusion of this high refractive index material, it is possible to achieve thinner lenses with the same strength as thicker lenses.
With the high refractive index and high Abbe number of these Monomers comparable optical performance to glass lenses can be achieved. In addition, glass mold-casted MR™ Series shows minimal stress-strain and the optical quality is superior to injection molded polycarbonate lens.
Overview
With high-impact resistance, high refractive index (R.I.), high Abbe number, and light weight, this thiourethane eyeglass material is the product of our unique polymerization technology.
It is an innovative material for lenses that offer a balanced set of characteristics—thinness, light weight, break resistance, and perfect clarity—demanded by many eyeglass lens users around the world.
Thin and Light
Lenses generally become thicker and heavier as optical power increases. But with the development of high R.I. lens material, it's now possible to make thinner, lighter lenses. Now, even high-power lenses can be made thin, appealing, and comfortable to wear.
MR™ lens
Normal lens
Safe and Resistant to Breakage
The toughness of thiourethane resin makes it possible to build thin eyeglass lenses with high impact resistance. Thiourethane lenses resist breaking and chipping, even for two-point or rimless glasses, making them safer to wear and to use. Thiourethane lenses also exhibit superior processing ability, which means they can be formed into virtually any design.
MR™ lens
Normal lens
Lasting Appeal
Thiourethane lenses feature high resistance to wear and resist discoloring over time.
They also allow strong coating adhesion on the lens surface. In effect, the coatings are more resistant to peeling, even after extended use.
Clear View
For plastic lenses, high refractive index and high Abbe number are generally regarded as mutually exclusive properties difficult to achieve in a single lens product. But with our lens material featuring high Abbe number, such as the MR™ 1.60 (MR-8™), we’ve minimized the dispersion of light (chromatic aberration) due to the prism effect, thereby suppressing color fringing.
Precision Eyeglass Lenses
Due to the high workability of thiourethane MR™, it’s ideal for use in lenses that require precise design, such as progressive lenses and aspherical lenses.
Highly-Functional Eyeglass Lenses
MR™ is manufactured from a unique monomer polymerization process that make it possible to add functions like specific wavelengths filtering or photochromic properties by blending special pigments. Being highly compatible with coating materials and film, the material also makes it easier to manufacture highly functional polarized lenses.
Fashion-Oriented Eyeglass Lenses
The strength and high workability of MR™ make it ideal for use in fashion-oriented eyeglasses like rimless or high-curved glasses.
A Wide Color Variation for Sunglasses
The high tintability of MR™ makes it ideal for fashion-oriented sunglasses manufactured in a wide range of colors.
Properties
High Refractive Index
MR™ is available in three different refractive indexes: 1.60, 1.67, and 1.74. Higher R.I. materials makes it possible to manufacture thinner and lighter lenses.
20-40% Thinner
MR-174™-based lens vs. low R.I. lens (-2.00–-7.00D)
MR-174™-based Lens (R.I. 1.74/-8.00D)
Low R.I. lens (R.I. 1.50/-8.00D)
20-35% Lighter
MR-7™-based lens vs. low R.I. lens (-2.00–-7.00D)
High Strength
The high impact resistance and static load resistance improve safety for users. The lens material meets the criteria of the US FDA's drop ball test.
FDA Drop Ball Test (lens without coating)
Section 801.410 of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Code of Federal Regulations
MR-8™-based lens Undamaged
Medium R.I. lens Damaged
Butterfly test for Rimless Frames
Mitsui Chemicals method based on JIS B7285 (2016) Specification:
breaks at 20,000 strokes (tested by a Japanese lens manufacturer).
MR-8™-based lens
Medium R.I. lens
Durability
The MR-8™ exhibits high weather resistance. Even after exposure to intense UV light, discoloration is minimal.
It also features high thermal resistance and is highly compatible with coating materials, making the coatings more resistant to cracking and peeling, even under challenging conditions. The lenses maintain viewing clarity for eyeglass wearers even after extended use.
Weather resistance test
MR-8™-based lens
Medium R.I. lens (lens yellowing after prolonged use)
Coating peel test
Coating won’t peel off after long-term use.
MR-8™-based lens
Medium R.I. lens (peeling of coating is evident)
High Abbe Number
The high R.I. and high Abbe number give the lens optical properties comparable to those of glass lenses.
High Abbe number
MR-8™-based lens
Polycarbonate lens
Comparison of distortion through polarized filter
MR-8™-based lens
Polycarbonate lens
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