Touch - screen glass materials play a pivotal role in determining the performance, durability, and user experience of touch - screen devices. Two commonly used materials are Gorilla Glass and Dragontrail Glass, each with its own set of characteristics.
Gorilla Glass, developed by Corning, has gained widespread popularity. It is renowned for its high scratch resistance. The manufacturing process involves an ion - exchange process where small sodium ions on the glass surface are replaced with larger potassium ions from a molten salt bath. This creates a compressive stress layer on the surface, enhancing its resistance to scratches. In a smartphone or tablet, which are frequently used in various environments and may come into contact with keys, coins, or other hard objects, Gorilla Glass can effectively prevent the screen from being scratched, thus maintaining the clarity of the display.
Another advantage of Gorilla Glass is its good drop resistance. The ion - exchange process also contributes to increased toughness, allowing the glass to withstand a certain degree of impact from drops. This is crucial as mobile devices are often at risk of being accidentally dropped. However, Gorilla Glass has its limitations. In some cases, when subjected to extreme stress, it may crack, and its optical clarity, although generally good, can be slightly affected in certain lighting conditions.