Overview
ISO 10110-9:2016 - part of the ISO 10110 series for optics and photonics - defines how to indicate surface treatments and optical coatings on technical drawings used for manufacturing and inspection. The standard specifies presentation rules for functional coatings (antireflective, reflective, filtering, polarizing, etc.) and protective surface treatments, how to reference coating specifications, and how coating-related dimensions and imperfections should be represented.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and intent: Indications apply to the finished product unless the drawing explicitly states otherwise (dimensions refer to part after coating).
- Presentation formats:
- Preferred: tabular field in the drawing (per ISO 10110-1) for functional coating data.
- Alternative: drawing field box or a separate coating specification document for complex requirements.
- Symbols and notation:
- Use the spectral function symbols τ(λ) (spectral transmittance), ρ(λ) (spectral reflectance) and α(λ) (spectral absorptance). Where confusion may occur, T(λ), R(λ), A(λ) are permitted.
- Wavelengths must be given in nanometres (nm).
- Functional coatings are indicated with a designated coating symbol (per ISO 9211‑1) with a leader line to a specification box.
- Protective treatments are shown by a thick “chain” line (line type 04.2, ISO 128‑24) adjacent to the surface, linked to a box with the treatment description.
- Surface-area and tolerance: Coating extent normally covers the optically effective surface; toleranced dimensions should be provided when necessary or when different zones on a single surface require different coatings.
- Imperfections and acceptability: Coating imperfection acceptance is specified via ISO 10110‑7 with defect definitions from ISO 9211‑1.
- Examples and templates: Annexes A–D include lists of functional coating types, tabular examples, and sample coating specification documents.
Applications and users
ISO 10110‑9 is used by:
- Optical designers and systems engineers for unambiguous coating requirements.
- Mechanical and optical drafters preparing manufacturing drawings.
- Coating engineers and vendors who produce and test thin-film optical coatings.
- Quality, inspection and procurement teams verifying incoming parts and supplier deliverables.
Practical uses include specifying AR coatings for lenses, reflective coatings for mirrors, dichroics, filters, protective paints/platings for rear mirrors, and creating referenced coating spec documents for complex multilayer stacks.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 10110-9, optical coatings, surface treatment, technical drawings, coating specification, functional coatings, protective treatments, spectral transmittance, optics and photonics.