In recent years, telephones, smartphones, and other touch screen gadgets have become widespread. And more and more often the manufacturers replace the protective film of the displays of these devices with an oleophobic coating, which almost completely solves the problem of the "dirty screen".
What is oleophobic coating
An oleophobic coating is a very thin, nanometer-thick film that, due to its composition, repels grease and grease contaminants from the touch screen. In other words, it is a coating on the surface of the screen that prevents it from getting dirty. It is completely imperceptible with your fingers, but noticeably cleans the glossy surfaces of the displays. The name of this protective layer is derived from the Greek word "oleo", which means "oil". The oleophobic coating contains 0.1-10% alkylsilane, 0.01-10% silicone and some solvent.
Until a few years ago, the coating was applied by heating. There are now two technologies that allow you to maintain a normal temperature. When using the former, the oleophobic coating is applied by vapor deposition. The second method is based on the use of silicon dioxide. In both cases, the composition of the coating is applied by spray, which has a positive effect on the quality of the coating.
History of oleophobic coating
This type of protective coating was invented by German scientists Melanie Hoffmann, Jonker and Overs. On July 25, 2005, they patented their coating, and a little later, Apple applied for a patent for an improved coating.
Since 2012, it has been used in smartphones. The very first phone to receive an oleophobic coating was the Iphone 3GS. After that, it began to be used by other manufacturers. Today, this coating is applied not only to device displays, but also to protective films for these same displays.
Preservation of the oleophobic coating
At its nanometer thickness, the coating is subject to abrasion. This can happen for various reasons. Firstly, the protective layer is erased when using the phone in games, which are controlled by frequent touches to the display of the device.
Secondly, the device does not have a case, and the display is constantly in contact with clothes, the lining of a bag, and so on.
In order to prolong the use of the oleophobic coating, do not expose the device to direct sunlight, allowing it to heat up. It is also not recommended to wipe the display with various cleaning agents that include alcohol-containing liquids or any abrasives.
To care for the oleophobic coating, it is recommended to simply wipe the screen with a soft, lint-free cloth, preferably a microfiber cloth.
