Does oleophobic and hydrophobic coatings on display glass permanently protect against fingerprints?
Release Time : 2025-10-22
In modern display devices such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and in-car touchscreens, the screen is not only the central window for information interaction but also the most direct physical point of contact between the user and the device. Every swipe, tap, and pinch occurs between fingertips and the glass surface. However, this high-frequency contact also creates a common problem: residual fingerprints, oil stains, and hand sweat. These not only create glaring reflections in bright light, affecting the clarity of on-screen content, but also disrupt the smoothness of touch and even interfere with gesture recognition accuracy. To address this challenge, oleophobic and hydrophobic coatings (also known as anti-fingerprint coatings) are widely used on display glass surfaces, becoming a key technology for enhancing the user experience. However, their true value lies not only in their ability to function, but also in the coating's durability—its ability to maintain its anti-smudge and smooth performance despite long-term use, frequent wiping, and environmental damage.
Oleophobic and hydrophobic coatings are based on biomimetic design. Their chemical nature is primarily based on fluorinated silanes, forming an extremely thin, nanoscale protective film on glass surfaces. This film has an extremely low surface energy, making it difficult for polar liquids like water and oil to spread, instead condensing and sliding off in beads. When a finger glides across the screen, oil and sweat are unable to adhere effectively, reducing the contact area and thus reducing fingerprint residue. This low surface energy also reduces the coefficient of friction, giving fingertips a smooth, "floating" feel and enhancing operational fluidity. This characteristic is particularly noticeable when viewing high-definition images, scrolling quickly on web pages, or controlling games, and is a key detail that distinguishes high-end devices from standard products.
However, the real challenge lies in durability. Coatings are not permanent, and their lifespan is affected by numerous factors: repeated friction from daily use, the material of the cleaning cloth, chemical attack from alcohol or detergents, ultraviolet radiation, and fluctuations in temperature and humidity all gradually weaken the coating's molecular structure, causing it to fall off or degrade from the glass surface. Once the coating wears away, the glass reverts to its oleophilic and hydrophilic properties, quickly revealing fingerprints and becoming rough to the touch. This forces users to wipe the glass frequently, significantly reducing the user experience. Therefore, advanced manufacturers employ multiple technologies to extend the coating's lifespan. For example, they employ plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) to form a stronger chemical bond between the coating and the glass substrate, improving adhesion. Alternatively, they incorporate a multi-layered composite structure, with a base layer enhancing bonding and a surface layer providing functionality, creating a "protective echelon."
Furthermore, some high-end display glass utilizes a repairable oleophobic coating. Its molecules exhibit a certain degree of fluidity, allowing them to restructure at a microscopic level after minor wear and tear, restoring some of their properties. Furthermore, chemical strengthening of the glass itself indirectly protects the coating—a harder surface is more scratch-resistant, reducing the risk of localized peeling caused by surface scratches.
From a user experience perspective, long-lasting oleophobic and hydrophobic properties are not only important for aesthetics and operational comfort, but also provide a psychological guarantee of a sense of cleanliness. A consistently clear, new-to-the-touch screen conveys the impression of high quality and meticulous design. Anti-fingerprint and easy-to-clean properties are particularly important in environments with high hygiene requirements, such as medical, financial, and public information terminals.
Ultimately, the durability of an oleophobic and hydrophobic coating is a comprehensive reflection of material science, process precision, and user habits. Although as thin as a speck of dust, it carries the delicate texture of human-computer interaction. When a fingertip slides freely across the screen, leaving no trace or lag, that moment of fluidity is technology's silent and profound response to human needs.
Oleophobic and hydrophobic coatings are based on biomimetic design. Their chemical nature is primarily based on fluorinated silanes, forming an extremely thin, nanoscale protective film on glass surfaces. This film has an extremely low surface energy, making it difficult for polar liquids like water and oil to spread, instead condensing and sliding off in beads. When a finger glides across the screen, oil and sweat are unable to adhere effectively, reducing the contact area and thus reducing fingerprint residue. This low surface energy also reduces the coefficient of friction, giving fingertips a smooth, "floating" feel and enhancing operational fluidity. This characteristic is particularly noticeable when viewing high-definition images, scrolling quickly on web pages, or controlling games, and is a key detail that distinguishes high-end devices from standard products.
However, the real challenge lies in durability. Coatings are not permanent, and their lifespan is affected by numerous factors: repeated friction from daily use, the material of the cleaning cloth, chemical attack from alcohol or detergents, ultraviolet radiation, and fluctuations in temperature and humidity all gradually weaken the coating's molecular structure, causing it to fall off or degrade from the glass surface. Once the coating wears away, the glass reverts to its oleophilic and hydrophilic properties, quickly revealing fingerprints and becoming rough to the touch. This forces users to wipe the glass frequently, significantly reducing the user experience. Therefore, advanced manufacturers employ multiple technologies to extend the coating's lifespan. For example, they employ plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) to form a stronger chemical bond between the coating and the glass substrate, improving adhesion. Alternatively, they incorporate a multi-layered composite structure, with a base layer enhancing bonding and a surface layer providing functionality, creating a "protective echelon."
Furthermore, some high-end display glass utilizes a repairable oleophobic coating. Its molecules exhibit a certain degree of fluidity, allowing them to restructure at a microscopic level after minor wear and tear, restoring some of their properties. Furthermore, chemical strengthening of the glass itself indirectly protects the coating—a harder surface is more scratch-resistant, reducing the risk of localized peeling caused by surface scratches.
From a user experience perspective, long-lasting oleophobic and hydrophobic properties are not only important for aesthetics and operational comfort, but also provide a psychological guarantee of a sense of cleanliness. A consistently clear, new-to-the-touch screen conveys the impression of high quality and meticulous design. Anti-fingerprint and easy-to-clean properties are particularly important in environments with high hygiene requirements, such as medical, financial, and public information terminals.
Ultimately, the durability of an oleophobic and hydrophobic coating is a comprehensive reflection of material science, process precision, and user habits. Although as thin as a speck of dust, it carries the delicate texture of human-computer interaction. When a fingertip slides freely across the screen, leaving no trace or lag, that moment of fluidity is technology's silent and profound response to human needs.