MR™

Applications detail

High-index lenses

Applications

Vision care materials

Characteristics

Optical properties

The de facto global standard for high refractive index eyeglass lens material

The de facto standard for high R.I. lens materials MR™ Special Site

Vision Care Materials Division of Mitsui Chemicals

For Brand Site click here

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.

Comparison of physical properties of lenses made with MR™ Series to others

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.

MR Series' good mechanical strength and stress free properties make it suitable for unique lens designs such as "Rimless frame" or "High curve lens".

High impact and static load resistance promotes wearer eye safety
Good Tensile strength
Good processability for precisely designed progressive lenses (Advantage of thiourethane materials)

The optical material's durablity and good weatherability ensures that the lens can withstand high usage with minimal discoloration even after years of use. MR™ Series is compatible with a variety of coating materials and has good color tintability making it suitable for high fashion sunglasses with special color needs.

Click here to get more information about MR™ Series and UV+420cut™

MR™ Series

UV+420cut™

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.

About the Vision Care Materials Division of Mitsui Chemicals

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.

Refractive Index 1.60 (MR-8™)

This is the standard high R.I. lens material. Compared to other lens materials of the same refractive index, the exceptionally high Abbe number means minimal chromatic aberration in the visual periphery and an ideal balance of properties such as impact resistance and thermal resistance.

Recommendation

We recommend the R.I. 1.60 MR™ for a wide range of designs and purposes and for optical powers ranging from nearsightedness to presbyopia.

Refractive Index 1.67 (MR-7™)

This lineup features a balance of lens thinness, lightness, and high impact resistance. The MR-7™ offers high tintability.

Recommendation

We recommend the R.I. 1.67 MR™ for users who are uncomfortable with thick or heavy high-powered lenses. Since the MR-7™ with its high tintability can be tinted in a short period of time, it is ideal for sunglasses and fashion-oriented glasses.

Refractive Index 1.67 (MR-10™)

This lineup features a balance of lens thinness, lightness, and high impact resistance. The MR-10™ offers superb thermal resistance.

Recommendation

We recommend the R.I. 1.67 MR™ for users who are uncomfortable with thick or heavy high-powered lenses. The heat-resistant MR-10™ lens withstands a wide range of working temperatures and offers added safety for use under challenging temperature conditions.

Refractive Index 1.74 (MR-174™)

This lens material makes it possible to produce ultra-thin lenses of the highest refractive index. Additionally, this Do Green™ product is made using plant-derived materials.

Recommendation

We recommend the R.I. 1.74 MR™ for users looking for the ultimate in thinnes, as well as those who are especially eco-conscious or prefer the highest possible quality.

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.