What is ATO?
Antimony Tin Oxide (ATO) Powder
Antimony tin oxide (ATO) is antimony-doped tin oxide, commonly represented as Sb-doped SnO₂. It is a transparent conductive oxide used in transparent conductive materials, antistatic coatings, near-infrared shielding films, solar-control coatings, and light-color ESD systems. Aurexene Materials is an ATO powder manufacturer supplying ATO-T85, ATO-T90, ATO-T92, and ATO-T95 in micro and nano size families with nominal SnO₂ / antimony oxide-equivalent ratios listed in the grade matrix.
Technical owner: Aurexene Materials Engineering Team · Last updated: 2026-07-26
Quick Answer
Antimony tin oxide (ATO) is Sb-doped SnO₂, a transparent conductive oxide for antistatic behavior, conductive function, or near-infrared attenuation without black carbon fillers. It is best evaluated in transparent or light-color coatings, ESD layers, solar-control films, and glazing stacks where dispersion, film continuity, loading, haze, and tint can be controlled. Do not select ATO for high-current bulk conductivity, ultra-low sheet resistance, or fully colorless optical stacks.
What It Is Not
- ATO is antimony-doped tin oxide, not elemental antimony, antimony trioxide, or undoped tin oxide. It is not antimony-free; use grade-specific SDS, dust-control, leaching, and regulatory documentation for the final use.
- ATO provides static transparent heat-shielding, solar-control, or conductive-coating function; it is not a thermochromic or electrochromic active switching layer.
When Not to Use It
- Do not use ATO when high-current bulk conductivity, very low resistance, or fully colorless optical performance is required beyond the practical oxide-coating window.
Intrinsic Screening Summary
- Identity screen
- Nominal grade composition, reported as SnO₂ wt% / Sb2O3-equivalent wt%: 85/15, 90/10, 92/8, or 95/5. Confirm the reporting basis on the selected grade COA.; Supplied microscopy shows aggregated, near-spherical primary-particle features in local fields of view; confirm grade morphology and dispersion state during qualification.
- Intrinsic feature
- Transparent-conductive oxide behavior with near-infrared attenuation.
- Material-level integration
- Deagglomerate ATO into the selected binder or dispersion medium before judging haze, conductivity, or IR response. Use for IR shielding coatings, static solar-control glazing, transparent conductive coatings, and ESD coatings where optical clarity or resistance uniformity matters.
Application Fit
Selection & Validation Framework
| Decision Question | Material-Level Answer |
|---|---|
| Loading and rheology window | Tune ATO loading against viscosity, coating leveling, haze, color, and conductivity or IR attenuation targets. Use when higher loading is needed but processability and optical appearance must remain acceptable. |
| Coating integration | Use for transparent films, glazing stacks, conductive coating layers, and optical-control coatings. |
Material Identity & Specification Status
Available Grades
| Grade | Size family | SnO₂ nominal (wt%) | Sb₂O₃-equivalent nominal (wt%) | Form | Particle size | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATO-T85 | Micro | 85 | 15 | Powder | ATO-T85 Micro batch laser-diffraction PSD: qualification required; confirm method, dispersion protocol, D10/D50/D90, and lot. | Request current grade availability |
| ATO-T85 | Nano | 85 | 15 | Powder | ATO-T85 Nano primary-particle size and batch PSD: qualification required; confirm method, dispersion protocol, and lot. | Request current grade availability |
| ATO-T90 | Micro | 90 | 10 | Powder | ATO-T90 Micro batch laser-diffraction PSD: qualification required; confirm method, dispersion protocol, D10/D50/D90, and lot. | Request current grade availability |
| ATO-T90 | Nano | 90 | 10 | Powder | ATO-T90 Nano primary-particle size and batch PSD: qualification required; confirm method, dispersion protocol, and lot. | Request current grade availability |
| ATO-T92 | Micro | 92 | 8 | Powder | ATO-T92 Micro batch laser-diffraction PSD: qualification required; confirm method, dispersion protocol, D10/D50/D90, and lot. | Request current grade availability |
| ATO-T92 | Nano | 92 | 8 | Powder | ATO-T92 Nano primary-particle size and batch PSD: qualification required; confirm method, dispersion protocol, and lot. | Request current grade availability |
| ATO-T95 | Micro | 95 | 5 | Powder | ATO-T95 Micro batch laser-diffraction PSD: qualification required; confirm method, dispersion protocol, D10/D50/D90, and lot. | Request current grade availability |
| ATO-T95 | Nano | 95 | 5 | Powder | ATO-T95 Nano primary-particle size and batch PSD: qualification required; confirm method, dispersion protocol, and lot. | Request current grade availability |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| CAS / identity | 128221-48-7 |
| Morphology | Supplied microscopy shows aggregated, near-spherical primary-particle features in local fields of view; confirm grade morphology and dispersion state during qualification. |
| Density | Grade-specific true density and test method are confirmed during quotation or sample qualification. |
| Purity | Grade-specific purity, analytical basis, and acceptance limit are confirmed during quotation or sample qualification. |
| Packaging | Grade-specific packaging configuration is confirmed during quotation. |
| Storage | Grade-specific storage and handling conditions are confirmed in the current approved documentation during qualification. |
Why It Works
| Structure | Function | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Antimony-doped tin oxide with grade-specific nominal SnO₂ / Sb2O3-equivalent composition and locally observed aggregated, near-spherical primary-particle features. | Transparent-conductive oxide behavior with near-infrared attenuation. | Doping and charge-compensating defects can supply mobile carriers that alter the optical response; finished-film performance still depends on phase, particle state, dispersion, loading, and thickness. |
Compare Material Routes
| Material / Route | Decision Boundary |
|---|---|
| ITO | Screen ATO when a formulation-led coating route must balance final-film conductivity with transmission, haze, color, adhesion, and durability. Screen ITO when a powder, ceramic-target, slurry, or deposited-film route is explicitly required; compare matched finished films without transferring powder or target data. |
| Cs0.33WO3 | Choose ATO when a transparent NIR-control coating must also meet a defined sheet-resistance, surface-resistivity, or antistatic requirement. Choose Cs0.33WO3 when transparent NIR absorption is the primary material role and final-film electrical conductivity is not required; validate visible transmission, haze, tint, dispersion, durability, and stack-level heat performance on a matched film. |
| TiON | Choose ATO for a transparent conductive oxide route where visible clarity, light appearance, and conductive or IR-control behavior must be balanced. Screen TiON as a distinct, darker absorber route, then compare color, loading, NIR response, and coating durability under matched conditions. |
| Vanadium Dioxide | Choose ATO when the desired route is a stable transparent conductive oxide coating rather than a phase-transition smart-glazing material. Compare Vanadium Dioxide when thermochromic or phase-transition behavior is the intended smart-glazing mechanism and phase validation is available. |
Technical Guides
| Technical Guide | Summary |
|---|---|
| Absorption vs Reflection in Solar-Control Coatings and Why the Difference Affects Heat Build-Up | Solar-control attenuation can come from absorption, reflection, or scattering. |
| Static Optical Control vs Stimulus-Responsive Switching: Defining the Correct Material Route | Choose passive optical control when one stable spectrum is sufficient; choose stimulus-responsive switching only when the system needs a reversible change between defined states and can tolerate trigger, hysteresis, cycle, control, and integration requirements. |
FAQ
Is ATO antimony-free?
No. Use ATO only when antimony-containing materials are acceptable for the final application.
How does ATO compare with ITO?
Screen ATO for a formulation-led coating route and ITO for an explicitly defined powder, ceramic-target, slurry, or deposited-film route. Compare optical, electrical, process, and durability results on matched finished films.
How does ATO compare with Cs₀.₃₃WO₃?
Choose ATO when the coating needs both near-infrared control and an electrical or antistatic function. Choose Cs₀.₃₃WO₃ when transparent near-infrared absorption is the primary role and electrical conductivity is not required. Compare delivered system cost only after matched-film validation.
Why is ATO used in IR shielding coatings?
ATO can add near-IR attenuation while keeping a transparent conductive oxide route. The useful window depends on dispersion, loading, coating thickness, visible transmission, haze, and color.
Can ATO replace ITO?
ATO can replace ITO only when the selected ATO coating meets the same finished-film electrical, optical, process, adhesion, and durability requirements. Keep ITO powder, ceramic-target, slurry, and deposited-film evidence separate in the comparison.
ATO Customization & Grade Selection
Scope an ATO request across the published grade, size-family, and supplied-form options below. Final properties and availability require grade- and lot-specific confirmation; unlisted compositions or bespoke particle engineering are not implied.
| Dimension | Published options | Qualification boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal grade family | ATO-T85, ATO-T90, ATO-T92, ATO-T95 | Select from the published ATO-T85, ATO-T90, ATO-T92, and ATO-T95 families; confirm the selected grade and composition basis on the current COA. |
| Size family | Micro, Nano | Confirm the exact grade, particle-size method, dispersion protocol, and lot before setting a particle-size acceptance limit. |
| Supplied form | Powder | Confirm current form, packaging, sample quantity, documentation, and availability during quotation. |
Documents & Inquiry
Document access follows the current approval state. Unapproved or unavailable files route to a document request instead of a public download.
Technical Data Sheet
Approved public file
Safety Data Sheet
Approval required
Related resources
ATO Manufacturing, Grade & Qualification Support
Aurexene Materials is an ATO powder manufacturer of the published ATO-T85, ATO-T90, ATO-T92, and ATO-T95 micro and nano grade families. For grade review, provide the application, host system, process, performance target, sample quantity, estimated volume, timeline, and document requirements.
ATO RFQ qualification checklist
- Application and host system: Intended coating, film, polymer, ink, or other matrix.
- Grade and size family: Preferred ATO-T85, ATO-T90, ATO-T92, or ATO-T95 micro/nano route, or ask Aurexene Materials to recommend one.
- Target and test method: Required conductivity, resistance, NIR response, transmission, haze, tint, or other acceptance target with its method and conditions.
- Process conditions: Dispersion route, loading window, substrate, film thickness, cure or drying conditions, and relevant constraints.
- Sample and scale: Sample quantity, estimated pilot or annual volume, and required timing.
- Qualification evidence: TDS, SDS, COA, regulatory documentation, and any lot-specific acceptance data required.
This inquiry and qualification path does not guarantee performance or availability:
- Requirements review
- Grade and size-family recommendation
- Sample/document package
- Customer formulation validation
- Scale-up quotation
Exact properties, methods, availability, and acceptance limits must be confirmed for the selected grade and lot. Application-performance guidance remains on the linked Application, Technical Insight, and Comparison pages.
Review Lab Capabilities for sample evaluation and qualification support, or Production Capabilities for scale-up, quality, documentation, and supply support.
Get ATO Grade Recommendation & Quote