A chat with Corning: what are the challenges of making tough glass?

0
125
Modern glass is expected to survive 2m drops  (image credit:  Corning)

Corning unveiled Gorilla Glass Victus 2 this week, a sequel to 2020s Victus (and Victus+ from final yr). The main focus with this technology was to enhance drop efficiency, i.e. rising the prospect that the glass can be okay after you drop your telephone. Tough surfaces like asphalt and particularly concrete have been the primary problem.

We received to talk with Scott Forester, Division Vice President and Enterprise Director, Glass & Operations Council at Corning, what goes into making strengthened glass. It seems that powerful is a transferring goal as a result of telephones themselves are altering.

Trendy glass is predicted to outlive 2m drops (picture credit score: Corning)

Smartphones have gotten 15% heavier and 10% bigger on common during the last 4 years. Weight and measurement dictate the pressure of the impression when the telephone falls and the way that pressure is distributed by the display screen glass and the physique of the telephone.

Measurement is dictated by market demand, telephones with bigger screens promote higher than compact units. Giant, skinny telephones are likely to flex lots, which might spell catastrophe for the glass that protects the entrance and very often the again as nicely.

Testing Victus 2 glass falling on 80 grid sandpaper (which simulates concrete)Testing Victus 2 glass falling on 80 grid sandpaper (which simulates concrete)

The additional weight is partly a consequence of getting a bigger telephone. Thats not all, greater batteries weigh extra too. Additionally, producers have moved on from plastic, to aluminum and even metal for the telephones chassis, each of that are heavier than plastic (metal particularly).

Its not all unhealthy, although, metallic makes for a stiffer chassis, which might scale back the stress on the glass because the telephone hits the bottom. Corning works with producers to optimize the interior development of a telephone to assist make it extra sturdy. You possibly can watch this video from a number of years in the past that demonstrates the significance of correctly supporting the glass.

Generally the corporate even takes in damaged telephones from customers and examines them carefully to determine what triggered the glass to shatter that information goes into enhancing the subsequent technology. What the staff discovered is that tough surfaces are answerable for more often than not when the display screen shatters, concrete and asphalt are the commonest tough surfaces that customers encounter of their each day lives.

Concrete and asphalt are the most common rough surfaces (image credit: Corning)Concrete and asphalt are the commonest tough surfaces (picture credit score: Corning)

Huge telephones arent the one pattern, curved shows are fairly standard too. We requested whether or not they’re extra weak apparently, it doesnt make a lot of a distinction whether or not the impression is to the entrance of the telephone or to the curved facet. Once more, a well-designed, inflexible body can go a great distance in direction of saving the glass.

There may be one other hyperlink between smartphone batteries and glass. Corning needs to maintain reflectivity low to stop glare if the ambient gentle is swamping out your show, the quick repair is to crank up the brightness. However that wastes energy, which isnt good to your battery life and never for the glass both, since that may imply bigger and heavier batteries.

We additionally requested about display screen protectors. Corning isnt towards them, however Forester tells us that telephones with Gorilla Glass are designed to outlive with out additional safety, so protectors will not be a must have.

That can be very true for telephones which might be coming within the subsequent few months because of the elevated survivability of Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Which telephones precisely will not be know but, not formally. However you can also make an informed guess utilizing the Cellphone Finder.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here