[L640-640XL] Oleophobic screen coating?

[Goodeye]

For those who already have the 640 I was hoping you could answer a question for me.

Does it have an oleo-phobic screen? The 635 didn't and it was so hard to keep clean I ended up getting a tempered glass protector for it so I could keep the screen easily clean.

 

[gpobernardo]

I don't own an L640, but according to the data sheet of the L640 from Microsoft, it has Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Corning Gorilla Glass 3 comes with oleophobic coating. In fact, majority of the surface hardness of the glass comes from the oleophobic coating, so it would be wise not to use solvents (alcohol-based cleaners) when cleaning the screen.

While the screen is oleophobic, oil and finger prints can still adhere onto its surface. Oleophobic simply means oil-resistant, but not oil-proof. This means that oil will not stick as easily on the screen compared with other surfaces.

Once oil gets accumulated on the screen, any ordinary micro-fiber cloth can be used to wipe the screen clean again. No need for solvents or liquids.

 

[sdc1]

In short, yes.

 

[Eric J F]

Re: Not using alcohol-based cleaners on Gorilla Glass.

I'd appreciate a link to the source of this recommendation. I've been using a weak alcohol and water solution (~50%) to occasionally clean my HTC 8X for over two years and haven't had any negative effects. Since I plan on getting a 640, it'd be nice to see a specific reference so I can mend my evil ways.

And by the way- There really is a big difference between my 8X and our non-Gorilla Glass Lumia 521. That one constantly needs cleaning.

 

[gpobernardo]

Re: Not using alcohol-based cleaners on Gorilla Glass.

I'd appreciate a link to the source of this recommendation. I've been using a weak alcohol and water solution (~50%) to occasionally clean my HTC 8X for over two years and haven't had any negative effects. Since I plan on getting a 640, it'd be nice to see a specific reference so I can mend my evil ways.

Just thought to share some info from my field: most oleophobic coating materials are also lipophobic. Lipophobic compounds are those which cannot be dissolved in lipids (and other non-polar solvents). Hence, Lipophobic compounds can be dissolved in polar solvents. Alcohols are known polar solvents. Therefore, lipophobic compounds can be dissolved in alcohols. In effect, most oleophobic coating materials can be removed by alcohol - perhaps not immediately given the intrinsic hardness, but when done continuously and repeatedly.

Here's one of the many links you might be looking for - it's the easiest to find. There are also other scientific references on this area, but one truthful evidence should be enough to "mend" a wise man's "evil ways".

 

[Guytronic]

Is the screen coating similar to a soluble Teflon?

 

[gpobernardo]

Is the screen coating similar to a soluble Teflon?

They're similar, in a sense that both are transparent and are oleophobic coatings, but they've got different hardness ratings. The refraction indices may also be different, since one is designed for viewing screens more than the other. The chemistry behind their oleophobic property, however, may be different.

For Corning, the coating material could be a trade secret since the specific compound seems to be not made known to the general public. As such, I can't give a more concrete comparison. All I know is a little chemistry... and that using alcohol (on one of my Gorilla glasses almost everyday) made it more prone to fingerprints.

For DuPont, the manufacturer, "Teflon" is PTFE (polytetrafluoroethane) as it is publicly made known. It is chemically non-polar, which should make it resistant to alcohol - in fact, it is also hydrophobic whereas water is also polar like alcohols. However, in line with the directives from UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the formulation of Teflon was/is being/may be changed as a precaution. I, however, cannot disclose further information regarding this and beyond what is available in public domain.

 

[Guytronic]

If I remember correctly here in California PTFE's were banned for use in fuels.

In my early years as a machinist I remember working with Teflon sheets so thin they were almost transparent.
The adhesives for that type of material were very expensive and somewhat poisonous.

 

[gpobernardo]

That's good. In general, fluorinated compounds (especially perfluorinated compounds) are now being regulated for limited special applications where they won't come into contact with the majority of the population at any given point in time due to their inherent toxicity and tendency to bio-accumulate. Hence, the oleophobic coating Corning uses for their Gorilla Glass should also not be fluorinated - unless they're not telling us something.

 

[Guytronic]

We have a little something here known as "Prop 65" voted in by the good folks of California implemented in 1986.
That ruined everything from weedkillers to gasoline

In the good old days Roundup and Ortho Triox used to actually kill weeds Lol...

These days vinegar mixed with dish soap and salt works just as well as brand name suppression chemicals on a small scale.

 

[Eric J F]

Thanks for the scientific background (=facts?), but I'll still refuse to get my 8X vaccinated. An autistic phone is a sad thing.

 

[pankaj981]

I don't own an L640, but according to the data sheet of the L640 from Microsoft, it has Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Corning Gorilla Glass 3 comes with oleophobic coating.

Not really. The Lumia 535 has GG3 minus the coating. The touch feeling (not the software) is not as good as a 925 or a 830. Someone with a 640/XL can compare it to a previous gen flagship and confirm it.

 

[Goodeye]

Thanks. Didn't need the technical specifics but thanks anyways.

I I just curious. The 635 is great but the lack of that on the screen is just crazy. I plan on moving to the 640 and if it didn't have it I wanted to make sure I had a tempered glass protector from the get go.

 

[Eric J F]

I found this interesting Corning technical paper from 2010; link below. It doesn't directly answer my question, but implies nothing more than gentle wiping is necessary as you've suggested above. I know high-end binocular manufacturers (Leica, Swarovski, etc) recommend only using breath and gentle wiping for their coated optics. Though I haven't seen any screen degradation from my occasional alcohol use, I'll follow your tip. Thanks!

http://www.corninggorillaglass.com/uploads/kcfinder/files/WP_Easy_to_Clean_Surfaces.pdf

 

[carguy303]

I always just put a coating of automotive wax on top of the screen no matter what phone it is. Works much the same way as the oleophobic covering and its very easy to reapply.

 

[STALKER-SVK]

is it necessary to use screen protector?

 

[ibbyj]

My fix for the 635 is to just use a Tempered Glass protector.

They're usually coated and feel like they're part of the phone.

My 635 tempered glass protector was $9 and made it feel so much better.

Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

 

[Dave47]

I don't own an L640, but according to the data sheet of the L640 from Microsoft, it has Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Corning Gorilla Glass 3 comes with oleophobic coating. In fact, majority of the surface hardness of the glass comes from the oleophobic coating, so it would be wise not to use solvents (alcohol-based cleaners) when cleaning the screen.

Got a citation for GG3 having oleophobic coating. It is my understanding that it does not.

 

[gpobernardo]

Got a citation for GG3 having oleophobic coating. It is my understanding that it does not.

Could you share with us such citation and how it translates to the actual glass on the L640?

 

[Dave47]

Could you share with us such citation and how it translates to the actual glass on the L640?

Not exactly sure what you mean but a visit to the Corning website produced no "oleophobic" results unless I missed it.
Here's their GG3 product sheet. One would think it would be mentioned here or might this layer get applied by OEMs? I have no idea.

http://www.corninggorillaglass.com/...a Glass 3_2320_PI Sheet RevE_050613(1)(1).pdf