AGC’s Electronics Solutions

Glass, a transparent amorphous solid material, has a rich history rooted in precious materials. Over time, its applications expanded from household products, owing to its chemical stability and transparency. In the industrial age, it found use in lighting, architectural windows, and automotive windshields.

Today, glass plays a pivotal role in crafting windows and screens for electronic devices. This professional guide provides insights into the use of the different types of glass in electronics, including their properties and applications.

01/Uses of Glass in Electronics Industry

In the electronics industry, glass emerges as a fundamental material, shaping the form and function of various devices. From smartphones to space exploration, the diverse applications of glass showcase its versatility and indispensable role in advancing technological frontiers. Explore the intricate connections between glass and electronics below.

Smartphone/Tablets

Glass, particularly chemically strengthened glass, is essential in the design of smartphones and tablets. It is used as the cover glass , enhancing the device's durability and touch sensitivity. This type of glass not only provides protection but also contributes to the overall aesthetic and functionality of these devices.

Laptops

In laptops, the use of glass, particularly as cover glass, is integral not only for enhancing the device's durability but also for improving visibility. This cover glass often includes an Anti-Glare (AG) treatment , which significantly reduces reflections on the screen. This treatment leads to a clearer and more comfortable viewing experience for the user, combining strength and functionality seamlessly.

Automotive Display

Glass in automotive displays goes beyond mere functionality. It contributes to the futuristic experience with innovations like heads-up displays and touch-sensitive screens. Dive deeper into the world of automotive display glass by clicking here .

AGC's Related Products

Smartphone Cover Glass

Cover glass is a component used for the exterior of smartphones. It must also meet the following six needs: Durability, Scratch resistance, Touch feel, Thinness, Transparency, and Flexibility. 

Anti-Glare Etched Glass

AGC's Anti-Glare Etched Glass is an innovative solution designed to mitigate the issue of glare on display panels, enhancing visibility and functionality.

Automotive Display Glass

Automotive Display Glass is becoming larger, more complex, and more functional every year. The elements required of glass are "low reflectivity," "safety," and "antifouling". This article introduces three technologies to meet these requirements.

Advanced Applications

Glass plays a vital role in the forefront of the electronics industry. Here, we will introduce some examples of its applications.

Robotics

Glass finds applications in robotics, serving as a protective cover for cameras and sensors mounted on robots. The use of glass ensures clarity and protection, crucial for the optimal functioning of these advanced machines.

Telecommunication

In the dynamic realm of telecommunications, glass finds its application as substrates in antenna systems for next-generation communications, particularly 5G. The unique attributes of glass, such as its durability and signal transparency, render it an ideal choice for enhancing and supporting the infrastructure of advanced communication technologies like 5G.

Space industry

Glass takes its place in the vastness of space, being utilized in space satellites and stations (spacecraft). Its durability and optical properties make it an essential material for applications like space exploration and satellite communication.

02/Glass Properties for the Use of Electronic Devices

Explore the distinctive properties of glass that position it as a pivotal material in the electronics industry. Glass, with its unparalleled transparency, heat resistance, and unique mechanical, thermal, optical, chemical, and electrical attributes, undergoes a transformative journey to meet the stringent demands of electronic applications.

Mechanical Properties

In the electronic landscape, the mechanical properties of glass play a vital role, providing a foundation for structural integrity.

Thermal Properties

Glass's response to heat is a critical consideration in electronics, influencing its ability to endure and perform under varying temperature conditions.

Optical Properties

In the electronic realm, glass's optical properties dictate its interaction with light, influencing the clarity and visibility of electronic displays.

Chemical Properties

Electronic devices demand resilience, and glass delivers high chemical resistance, safeguarding against environmental factors.

Electrical Properties

Within the intricate symphony of electronics, glass takes center stage as a crucial insulator, providing a shield against unwanted electrical currents.

03/Types of Glass Materials Used In Electronics

Soda-Lime Glass

Soda-lime glass, a versatile material widely acknowledged for everyday items like window panes, bottles, and bakeware, takes on a transformative role in the realm of electronics. Its adaptable nature finds expression as a key component in TN/STN LCD Panels, touch panels/cover glass for electronic devices, and mirror substrates. Comprising 70% silicon dioxide, 15% soda (sodium oxide), and 9% lime (calcium oxide), soda-lime glass proves its significance in enhancing the functionality and durability of electronic devices.

AGC's Related Products

AS2: AGC's High Quality Float Glass for Various Applications

AGC's AS2 is a high-quality soda-lime glass produced by the float process, notable for its variety in thickness and high flatness, making it a glass of choice for a wide range of applications.

Aluminosilicate Glass

Aluminosilicate glass, known for its outstanding heat resistance and its capability to achieve high strength through chemical toughening, comprises a composition of 57% silicon dioxide, 20.5% alumina, 12% magnesia, 5.5% lime (calcium oxide), 4% boric oxide, and 1% soda (sodium oxide). This makes it a popular choice as a cover glass for electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Its capability to endure higher temperatures compared to regular soda-lime glass ensures it's a dependable protector for sensitive electronic components.

Non-alkali glass

Non-alkali or alkali-free glass is used for FPD like LCD or OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays. Therefore, it enhances the resolution like smartphones. Non-alkali glass can also be very thin while having minimal deformation. As a result, this type of glass, though very thin, is considerably resistant to damage. Non-alkali glass contains a range of compounds, mainly silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, and boron trioxide. Depending on how it’s made, it may also contain small amounts of magnesium oxide, lime (calcium oxide), barium oxide, strontium oxide, or zinc oxide.

Fused quartz glass

Fused quartz glass is considerably different from commercial types of glass. That’s because it contains pure silica and doesn’t contain other compounds like commercial glass does. Because of this, it’s sometimes referred to as pure glass. Therefore, fused quartz glass has some unique properties. For example, it has a higher chemical and thermal resistance and increased transparency when compared to commercial glass. Fused quartz glass has a range of applications. Due to its high transparency, it’s primarily used for transmitting ultraviolet light. However, this glass can also be used for laser technology, electronics, and high-temperature operations.

Borosilicate glass

Borosilicate glass is made from silicon dioxide and boron trioxide. It’s widely used for laboratory glassware because it has good thermal and chemical resistance. Therefore, it’s ideal for scientific experiments that require heat or the use of harsh chemicals.

Glass ceramics

Glass ceramics combine the properties of glass with ceramics. Therefore, this material is a cross between glass and ceramics. The resulting material is highly crystalline. Depending on how it’s made, glass ceramics can be transparent or opaque. Other properties include lower thermal expansion, increased hardness, and higher resistance to thermal shock compared to commercial glass. Glass ceramics are commonly used for cooking purposes, such as cooktops, cooking appliances, grills, and barbeques. Most types contain lithium, aluminum, and silicon oxides. They may also include smaller quantities of sodium oxide, potassium oxide, magnesium oxide, or lime (calcium oxide).