Glass Cover Plate vs. Acrylic: Why Does the Touch Screen Industry Favor Glass?

Recently, some customers have been considering whether to replace the acrylic panel on the touch screen with a glass cover. In fact, this is not a new topic. Judging from the current practical application situation where glass is mostly used for touch screens, the glass cover is undoubtedly a better choice. To alleviate the concerns of customers, Sister Cover combined the actual cases of Gorilla Glass and summarized the differences between acrylic and glass.

Touch Sensitivity
The glass cover is significantly superior in terms of touch sensitivity. The surface of the glass is smoother and less prone to unevenness, which contributes to the smoothness and stability when the fingertip slides on the touch screen. At the same time, the glass has better optical transparency and can transmit touch signals more accurately. Moreover, the glass can be manufactured thinner (the thinnest can reach 0.12mm). This not only maintains the strength but also reduces the pressure transmission path during touch, significantly improving the touch sensitivity and response speed.

Hardness and Wear Resistance
In terms of hardness and wear resistance, the glass cover also has significant advantages. Touch screens need to be touched and slid frequently. Compared to acrylic, glass is harder, more wear-resistant, and less prone to scratches, and it can better withstand the wear caused by daily use. In addition, as an inorganic material, glass is not easily affected by chemical corrosion or sunlight ultraviolet rays, and will not yellow or be eroded by chemical substances over time, thereby effectively extending the service life of the equipment and significantly reducing the maintenance and replacement costs.

Optical Performance
Glass has an optical transmittance of up to 92% and excellent color reproduction ability, which can provide users with clearer and more accurate display effects, which is crucial for the user experience of touch screens.

Thermal Stability
Glass also has relatively high thermal stability and will not deform due to excessive temperatures.

Environmental Friendliness
From an environmental perspective, glass is a natural material that can be recycled and reused. In contrast, acrylic is a synthetic plastic. Its production process may have an impact on the environment, and the recycling process is relatively more complex.