Butyltin trichloride

Monobutyltin trichloride, also known as MBTC, is an organotin compound. Monobutyltin trichloride is commonly used in Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to deposit a tin-based coating onto flat glass

Glass coating

Monobutyltin trichloride is primarily used to deposit tin dioxide coatings on glass, which are low-emssivity and transparent to visible light, reflect infrared light, and provide a high conductance and a low sheet resistance. The tin dioxide coatings are typically doped with other materials, like fluorine or antimony to enhance certain properties.

For example, MBTC is used in the manufacturing process of glass containers such as those used for beers, spirits, and juices. These glass-making processes heat raw materials (sand, soda-ash, limestone, and recycled glass) to produce molten glass. The molten glob is cut into smaller pieces of uniform size, and are then pressed in a mold. MBTC is applied on the external surface of these containers, and then, the glass is annealed and coated with polyethylene.

MBTC is a commonly used organotin compound for on-line chemical vapor deposition because it readily decomposes at or close to the hot glass surface. The tin dioxide coatings formed are transparent to visible light, reflect infrared light, and are highly conductive. If these coatings are doped with fluorine from a source like trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), the coating will also have a lowered emissivity