Touchscreen button glass and its processing technology
By employing two etching processes and chemical strengthening treatment, the problem of low production efficiency of touch screen button glass was solved, enabling rapid formation of warp height and excellent tactile feedback, thereby improving production efficiency and user experience.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CONHUI HUIZHOU SEMICON
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing touchscreen button glass is difficult to form a significant warpage height during chemical corrosion and chemical strengthening processes, resulting in low production efficiency.
A two-stage etching process is employed. The first etching creates the initial groove, while the second etching solution contains organic acid and ethylene glycol methyl ether. A silane coupling agent is used to enhance the interfacial bonding at the sidewalls and corners, resulting in a thickness at the corners that is greater than that in the middle area. During chemical strengthening, the strengthening stress is concentrated in the middle area, quickly forming the target warp height.
It improves chemical strengthening efficiency, enhances the production efficiency of keypad glass, and provides a keyboard-like tactile feel, thus improving the user experience.
Smart Images
Figure SMS_1
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of touch screen processing technology, and more particularly to touch screen button glass and its processing technology. Background Technology
[0002] With the gradual development of touchscreens, the buttons on touchscreens have evolved into glass buttons. Glass buttons, when pressed, produce a concave feel similar to traditional keyboards, thus providing a more comfortable typing experience. Existing glass buttons, after being chemically etched to create grooves, require chemical strengthening to form the button area that protrudes from the touchscreen surface.
[0003] In the process of chemical etching and chemical strengthening, a uniform groove is usually formed first through chemical etching, and then the groove is strengthened and raised through chemical strengthening. Because the groove is of uniform thickness after chemical etching, the strengthening stress is evenly distributed at the bottom of the groove during the chemical strengthening process, making it difficult to produce a significant warpage. This results in stringent chemical strengthening parameters and a long strengthening time, which seriously affects the production efficiency of touch screens. Summary of the Invention
[0004] This invention aims to at least partially solve one of the problems in related technologies. Therefore, one objective of this invention is to provide a processing technology for touchscreen button glass. In this process, the organic acid in the second etching solution preferentially adsorbs onto the sidewalls and corners with higher surface energy, forming berths. During the second etching process, the etching depth in the middle region of the initial groove bottom is greater than the etching depth at the corners, ultimately resulting in a thickness at the corners of the button groove that is greater than the thickness in the middle region. In the subsequent chemical strengthening process, the strengthening stress is concentrated in the middle region of the button area, enabling rapid and efficient formation of the target warp height, reducing the parameter requirements for chemical strengthening, improving chemical strengthening efficiency, and thus improving the production efficiency of touchscreens.
[0005] A processing technology for touchscreen button glass includes: The first etching of the touch screen button glass is performed as follows: a mask is placed on the surface of the touch screen button glass, leaving the position of the groove to be etched. The touch screen button glass is then immersed in the first etching solution for etching to form the initial groove. The first etching solution includes hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and deionized water. A silane coupling agent solution is applied to the sidewalls of the initial groove and at the junctions of the sidewalls and corners; A second etching process is performed on the touchscreen button glass: the touchscreen button glass is immersed in a second etching solution for etching to form button grooves; the second etching solution includes hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid solution, organic acid, ethylene glycol methyl ether, and deionized water; the thickness at the corners of the button groove is greater than the thickness in the middle area; The touchscreen button glass is chemically strengthened to create a button area that protrudes from the non-button area.
[0006] Furthermore, the first etching solution comprises the following components in weight fractions: 2-4 parts hydrofluoric acid, 7-9 parts sulfuric acid, 5-7 parts hydrochloric acid, and 78-82 parts deionized water.
[0007] Furthermore, the second etching solution comprises the following components in weight fractions: 2-4 parts hydrofluoric acid, 7-9 parts sulfuric acid, 5-7 parts hydrochloric acid, 7-9 parts organic acid solution, 2-4 parts ethylene glycol methyl ether, and 78-82 parts deionized water.
[0008] Furthermore, the organic acid is oxalic acid.
[0009] Furthermore, the glass surface is cleaned with alcohol or acetone before applying the silane coupling agent solution.
[0010] Furthermore, after cleaning the glass surface with alcohol or acetone, the glass surface is activated by plasma or ultraviolet irradiation.
[0011] Furthermore, the pH value of the silane coupling agent solution is 8-9; the silane coupling agent is γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane.
[0012] Furthermore, the connection between the sidewall and the corner refers to the area where the bottom of the initial groove is less than or equal to 2 mm from the sidewall.
[0013] Furthermore, the thickness at the corner of the button groove is 0.1-0.25mm, and the thickness in the middle area of the button groove is 0.05-0.2mm.
[0014] The second objective of this application is to provide a touch screen button glass, which is prepared based on the processing technology of a touch screen button glass described above.
[0015] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution provided in this application has the following advantages: First, the touchscreen button glass is etched for the first time to form an initial groove, with the thickness at the bottom of the initial groove being uniform throughout. Then, a silane coupling agent solution is coated on the sidewalls of the initial groove and at the junctions of the sidewalls and corners, allowing the silane coupling agent solution to be adsorbed onto the sidewalls and at the junctions of the sidewalls and corners. Next, the touchscreen is etched a second time. The second etching solution contains organic acid and ethylene glycol methyl ether. Ethylene glycol methyl ether can promote the dissolution between organic acid and hydrofluoric acid. Simultaneously, the silane coupling agent on the sidewalls and corners of the initial groove can form a stable bond with the glass surface. The siloxane bonds enhance the interfacial bonding force at the sidewalls and corners, increasing the surface free energy at these locations. The organic acids in the second etching solution preferentially adsorb at the sidewalls and corners with higher surface energy, forming sites. During the second etching process, the etching depth in the middle region of the initial groove bottom is greater than the etching depth at the corners, ultimately resulting in a greater thickness at the corners than in the middle region of the button groove. In subsequent chemical strengthening processes, the strengthening stress is concentrated in the middle region of the button area, enabling rapid and efficient formation of the target warp height, reducing the parameter requirements for chemical strengthening, improving chemical strengthening efficiency, and thus increasing the production efficiency of the touchscreen.
[0016] This application also provides a touch screen button glass, which is manufactured by the processing technology described above. In the touch screen button glass, the height of the central protrusion of the button area is greater than the height of the edge protrusion. When the user operates, the central area is pressed first, which can provide the user with a keyboard-like pressing feel. At the same time, the central area of the button position has a larger protrusion and the edge area has a smaller protrusion, which is convenient for touch and pressing. Detailed Implementation
[0017] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of the present invention, specific embodiments are now described in detail. In the following description, specific details such as particular system structures and techniques are set forth for illustrative purposes rather than for limiting the scope of the invention, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the invention can be implemented in other embodiments without these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known systems, mechanisms, circuits, and methods are omitted to avoid unnecessary detail that could obscure the description of the invention.
[0018] This application provides a processing technology for touchscreen button glass, including: S1: First etching of the touch screen button glass: Cover the touch screen button glass surface with a mask, leaving the position of the groove to be etched, immerse the touch screen button glass in the first etching solution for etching to form the initial groove; the first etching solution includes the following components by weight fraction: 2-4 parts hydrofluoric acid, 7-9 parts sulfuric acid, 5-7 parts hydrochloric acid and 78-82 parts deionized water.
[0019] In this application, a mask is used to cover the areas that do not need etching and expose the areas that need etching. The areas that need etching refer to the locations in the touchscreen button glass where buttons will be formed. The first etching solution is a conventional etching solution, which can achieve uniform etching of the unmasked areas. Therefore, the initial groove thickness is equal everywhere.
[0020] S2: Specifically includes: S21: Clean the glass surface with alcohol or acetone; S22: Activation of glass surface by plasma or ultraviolet irradiation; S23: Coat the sidewalls of the initial groove and the junctions between the sidewalls and corners with a silane coupling agent solution; the pH value of the silane coupling agent solution is 8-9; the silane coupling agent is γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. The junction between the sidewalls and corners refers to the area where the bottom of the initial groove is 2 mm or less from the sidewall. If the initial groove is rectangular, the junction between the sidewalls and corners refers to a 2 mm wide annular rectangular area at the bottom edge of the initial groove. If the initial groove is circular, the junction between the sidewalls and corners refers to a 2 mm wide annular area at the bottom edge of the initial groove.
[0021] S3: Second etching of the touchscreen button glass: Immerse the touchscreen button glass in a second etching solution to form button grooves; the second etching solution comprises the following components by weight fraction: 2-4 parts hydrofluoric acid, 7-9 parts sulfuric acid, 5-7 parts hydrochloric acid, 7-9 parts organic acid solution, 2-4 parts ethylene glycol methyl ether, and 78-82 parts deionized water; the organic acid is oxalic acid. The thickness at the corners of the button groove is greater than the thickness in the middle area.
[0022] In addition to conventional components, the second etching solution in this application also includes organic acids and ethylene glycol methyl ether. Ethylene glycol methyl ether enhances the solubility of organic acids and hydrofluoric acid, enabling the second etching solution to form a homogeneous phase. At the bottom of the initial groove and the corners of the sidewalls, due to the smaller radius of curvature and more disordered atomic arrangement, the surface energy is slightly higher. Based on this, after coating with a silane coupling agent, the silane coupling agent can form stable siloxane bonds with the glass surface, further enhancing the interfacial bonding force at the sidewalls and corners, and increasing the surface free energy at these locations. Simultaneously, the alkoxy groups in the silane coupling agent hydrolyze under alkaline conditions to generate silanol groups, which combine with the hydroxyl groups on the glass surface. The reactive groups in the silane coupling agent, such as amino groups, react with organic acids to form chemical bonds, thereby building molecular bridges between the glass and organic acids, accelerating the bonding between the organic acids and the glass. This bonding preferentially occurs at the corners where the surface energy is higher.
[0023] Therefore, during the second etching, the organic acids in the second etching solution preferentially adsorb onto the sidewalls and corners with higher surface energy, forming occupants. The etching rate of these occupant areas by hydrofluoric acid is slightly lower. As a result, during the second etching process, the etching depth in the middle area of the initial groove bottom is greater than the etching depth at the corners, ultimately making the thickness at the corners of the button groove greater than the thickness in the middle area.
[0024] S4: Chemically strengthen the touchscreen button glass to form a button area that protrudes from the non-button area. The thickness at the corners of the final button recess is 0.1-0.25mm, and the thickness in the middle area of the button recess is 0.05-0.2mm.
[0025] The main purpose of chemical strengthening is to increase the surface stress of the touchscreen button glass, thereby making it scratch-resistant and impact-resistant. The main principle is to immerse the touchscreen button glass in a potassium nitrate solution at 420 degrees Celsius. This allows for a thorough ion exchange between the sodium ions on the touchscreen button glass surface and the potassium ions in the potassium nitrate solution. Because potassium ions are larger than sodium ions, the mutual compression of the potassium ions forms a stress layer on the touchscreen button glass surface, thus strengthening the glass. After chemical strengthening, the bottom of the button recess will protrude from the touchscreen button glass surface.
[0026] During the chemical strengthening process, the bottom of the button groove is thinner in the middle and thicker at the edges, and the strengthening stress is concentrated in the middle area of the button area. This can quickly and efficiently form the target warp height, reduce the parameter requirements for chemical strengthening, improve the efficiency of chemical strengthening, and thus improve the production efficiency of touch screens.
[0027] This application also provides a touch screen button glass, which is manufactured by the processing technology described above. In the touch screen button glass, the height of the central protrusion of the button area is greater than the height of the edge protrusion. When the user operates, the central area is pressed first, which can provide the user with a keyboard-like pressing feel. At the same time, the central area of the button position has a larger protrusion and the edge area has a smaller protrusion, which is convenient for touch and pressing.
[0028] Example 1 This application provides a processing technology for touchscreen button glass, including: S1: First etching of the touchscreen button glass: A mask is placed over the touchscreen button glass surface, leaving the area for the etching groove. The touchscreen button glass is then immersed in the first etching solution for etching to form the initial groove. The first etching solution comprises the following components by weight fraction: 2 parts hydrofluoric acid, 9 parts sulfuric acid, 5 parts hydrochloric acid, and 82 parts deionized water. The initial thickness of the touchscreen button glass is 0.4 mm, and the thickness of the initial groove is 0.2 mm.
[0029] S2: Specifically includes: S21: Clean the glass surface with alcohol; S22: Activation of glass surface by plasma irradiation; S23: Coat the sidewalls of the initial groove and the junctions between the sidewalls and corners with a silane coupling agent solution; the pH value of the silane coupling agent solution is 8-9; the silane coupling agent is γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, i.e., KH-550. The junction between the sidewalls and corners refers to the area where the bottom of the initial groove is less than or equal to 2 mm from the sidewall. The initial groove is rectangular, with a long side dimension of 10 mm and a wide side dimension of 7 mm; the junction between the sidewalls and corners refers to a 2 mm wide annular rectangular area at the bottom edge of the initial groove.
[0030] S3: Second etching of the touch screen button glass: Immerse the touch screen button glass in the second etching solution for etching to form button grooves; the second etching solution includes the following components by weight fraction: 4 parts hydrofluoric acid, 9 parts sulfuric acid, 5 parts hydrochloric acid, 9 parts organic acid solution, 2 parts ethylene glycol methyl ether and 82 parts deionized water; the organic acid is oxalic acid.
[0031] The thickness at the corner of the button recess is 0.15mm, and the thickness in the middle area is 0.1mm.
[0032] S4: Chemically strengthen the touchscreen button glass to create a button area that protrudes from the non-button area. The chemical strengthening process involves pre-baking the glass at 300℃ for 1.5 hours, strengthening it at 420℃ for 1 hour, and finally cooling it to below 150℃ before removing it from the furnace.
[0033] Example 2 This application provides a processing technology for touchscreen button glass, including: S1: First etching of the touchscreen button glass: A mask is placed over the touchscreen button glass surface, leaving the area for the etching groove. The touchscreen button glass is then immersed in the first etching solution to form the initial groove. The first etching solution comprises the following components by weight fraction: 4 parts hydrofluoric acid, 7 parts sulfuric acid, 7 parts hydrochloric acid, and 78 parts deionized water. The initial thickness of the touchscreen button glass is 0.4 mm, and the thickness of the initial groove is 0.2 mm.
[0034] S2: Specifically includes: S21: Clean the glass surface with alcohol; S22: Activation of glass surface by plasma irradiation; S23: Coat the sidewalls of the initial groove and the junctions between the sidewalls and corners with a silane coupling agent solution; the pH value of the silane coupling agent solution is 8-9; the silane coupling agent is γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, i.e., KH-550. The junction between the sidewalls and corners refers to the area where the bottom of the initial groove is less than or equal to 2 mm from the sidewall. The initial groove is rectangular, with a long side dimension of 10 mm and a wide side dimension of 7 mm; the junction between the sidewalls and corners refers to a 2 mm wide annular rectangular area at the bottom edge of the initial groove.
[0035] S3: Second etching of the touch screen button glass: Immerse the touch screen button glass in the second etching solution for etching to form button grooves; the second etching solution includes the following components by weight fraction: 2 parts hydrofluoric acid, 7 parts sulfuric acid, 7 parts hydrochloric acid, 7 parts organic acid solution, 4 parts ethylene glycol methyl ether and 78 parts deionized water; the organic acid is oxalic acid.
[0036] The thickness at the corner of the button recess is 0.14mm, and the thickness in the middle area is 0.1mm.
[0037] S4: Chemically strengthen the touchscreen button glass to create a button area that protrudes from the non-button area. The chemical strengthening process involves pre-baking the glass at 300℃ for 1.5 hours, strengthening it at 420℃ for 1 hour, and finally cooling it to below 150℃ before removing it from the furnace.
[0038] Example 3 This application provides a processing technology for touchscreen button glass, including: S1: First etching of the touchscreen button glass: A mask is placed over the touchscreen button glass surface, leaving the area for the etching groove. The touchscreen button glass is then immersed in the first etching solution to form the initial groove. The first etching solution comprises the following components by weight fraction: 3 parts hydrofluoric acid, 8 parts sulfuric acid, 6 parts hydrochloric acid, and 80 parts deionized water. The initial thickness of the touchscreen button glass is 0.4 mm, and the thickness of the initial groove is 0.2 mm.
[0039] S2: Specifically includes: S21: Clean the glass surface with alcohol; S22: Activation of glass surface by plasma irradiation; S23: Coat the sidewalls of the initial groove and the junctions between the sidewalls and corners with a silane coupling agent solution; the pH value of the silane coupling agent solution is 8-9; the silane coupling agent is γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, i.e., KH-550. The junction between the sidewalls and corners refers to the area where the bottom of the initial groove is less than or equal to 2 mm from the sidewall. The initial groove is rectangular, with a long side dimension of 10 mm and a wide side dimension of 7 mm; the junction between the sidewalls and corners refers to a 2 mm wide annular rectangular area at the bottom edge of the initial groove.
[0040] S3: Second etching of the touch screen button glass: Immerse the touch screen button glass in the second etching solution for etching to form button grooves; the second etching solution includes the following components by weight fraction: 3 parts hydrofluoric acid, 8 parts sulfuric acid, 6 parts hydrochloric acid, 8 parts organic acid solution, 3 parts ethylene glycol methyl ether and 80 parts deionized water; the organic acid is oxalic acid.
[0041] The thickness at the corner of the button recess is 0.16mm, and the thickness in the middle area is 0.1mm.
[0042] S4: Chemically strengthen the touchscreen button glass to create a button area that protrudes from the non-button area. The chemical strengthening process involves pre-baking the glass at 300℃ for 1.5 hours, strengthening it at 420℃ for 1 hour, and finally cooling it to below 150℃ before removing it from the furnace.
[0043] Example 4 This application provides a processing technology for touchscreen button glass, including: S1: First etching of the touchscreen button glass: A mask is placed over the touchscreen button glass surface, leaving the area for the etching groove. The touchscreen button glass is then immersed in the first etching solution to form the initial groove. The first etching solution comprises the following components by weight fraction: 3 parts hydrofluoric acid, 8 parts sulfuric acid, 6 parts hydrochloric acid, and 80 parts deionized water. The initial thickness of the touchscreen button glass is 0.4 mm, and the thickness of the initial groove is 0.2 mm.
[0044] S2: Specifically includes: S21: Clean glass surfaces with acetone; S22: Activation of glass surface by ultraviolet irradiation; S23: Coat the sidewalls of the initial groove and the junctions between the sidewalls and corners with a silane coupling agent solution; the pH value of the silane coupling agent solution is 8-9; the silane coupling agent is γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, i.e., KH-550. The junction between the sidewalls and corners refers to the area where the bottom of the initial groove is less than or equal to 2 mm from the sidewall. The initial groove is circular with a radius of 8 mm, and the junction between the sidewalls and corners refers to a 2 mm wide annular area at the bottom edge of the initial groove.
[0045] S3: Second etching of the touch screen button glass: Immerse the touch screen button glass in the second etching solution for etching to form button grooves; the second etching solution includes the following components by weight fraction: 3 parts hydrofluoric acid, 8 parts sulfuric acid, 6 parts hydrochloric acid, 8 parts organic acid solution, 3 parts ethylene glycol methyl ether and 80 parts deionized water; the organic acid is oxalic acid.
[0046] The thickness at the corner of the button recess is 0.16mm, and the thickness in the middle area is 0.1mm.
[0047] S4: Chemically strengthen the touchscreen button glass to create a button area that protrudes from the non-button area. The chemical strengthening process involves pre-baking the glass at 300℃ for 1.5 hours, strengthening it at 420℃ for 1 hour, and finally cooling it to below 150℃ before removing it from the furnace.
[0048] Comparative Example 1 This application provides a processing technology for touchscreen button glass, including: S1: First etching of the touchscreen button glass: A mask is placed over the touchscreen button glass surface, leaving the area for the etching groove. The touchscreen button glass is then immersed in the first etching solution to form the initial groove. The first etching solution comprises the following components by weight fraction: 3 parts hydrofluoric acid, 8 parts sulfuric acid, 6 parts hydrochloric acid, and 80 parts deionized water. The initial thickness of the touchscreen button glass is 0.4 mm, and the thickness of the initial groove is 0.2 mm.
[0049] The initial groove thickness is 0.1 mm.
[0050] S4: Chemically strengthen the touchscreen button glass to create a button area that protrudes from the non-button area. The chemical strengthening process involves pre-baking the glass at 300℃ for 1.5 hours, strengthening it at 420℃ for 1 hour, and finally cooling it to below 150℃ before removing it from the furnace.
[0051] Comparative Example 2 This application provides a processing technology for touchscreen button glass, including: S1: First etching of the touchscreen button glass: A mask is placed over the touchscreen button glass surface, leaving the area for the etching groove. The touchscreen button glass is then immersed in the first etching solution to form the initial groove. The first etching solution comprises the following components by weight fraction: 3 parts hydrofluoric acid, 8 parts sulfuric acid, 6 parts hydrochloric acid, and 80 parts deionized water. The initial thickness of the touchscreen button glass is 0.4 mm, and the thickness of the initial groove is 0.2 mm.
[0052] S2: Specifically includes: S21: Clean the glass surface with alcohol; S22: Activation of glass surface by plasma irradiation; S23: Coat the sidewalls of the initial groove and the junctions between the sidewalls and corners with a silane coupling agent solution; the pH value of the silane coupling agent solution is 8-9; the silane coupling agent is γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, i.e., KH-550. The junction between the sidewalls and corners refers to the area where the bottom of the initial groove is less than or equal to 2 mm from the sidewall. The initial groove is rectangular, with a long side dimension of 10 mm and a wide side dimension of 7 mm; the junction between the sidewalls and corners refers to a 2 mm wide annular rectangular area at the bottom edge of the initial groove.
[0053] S3: Second etching of the touch screen button glass: Immerse the touch screen button glass in the second etching solution for etching to form button grooves; the second etching solution includes the following components by weight fraction: 3 parts hydrofluoric acid, 8 parts sulfuric acid, 6 parts hydrochloric acid, 3 parts ethylene glycol methyl ether and 80 parts deionized water; the organic acid is oxalic acid.
[0054] The thickness at the corner of the button recess is 0.1mm, and the thickness in the middle area is 0.1mm.
[0055] S4: Chemically strengthen the touchscreen button glass to create a button area that protrudes from the non-button area. The chemical strengthening process involves pre-baking the glass at 300℃ for 1.5 hours, strengthening it at 420℃ for 1 hour, and finally cooling it to below 150℃ before removing it from the furnace.
[0056] Comparative Example 3 This application provides a processing technology for touchscreen button glass, including: S1: First etching of the touchscreen button glass: A mask is placed over the touchscreen button glass surface, leaving the area for the etching groove. The touchscreen button glass is then immersed in the first etching solution to form the initial groove. The first etching solution comprises the following components by weight fraction: 3 parts hydrofluoric acid, 8 parts sulfuric acid, 6 parts hydrochloric acid, and 80 parts deionized water. The initial thickness of the touchscreen button glass is 0.4 mm, and the thickness of the initial groove is 0.2 mm.
[0057] S2: Specifically includes: S21: Clean the glass surface with alcohol; S22: Activation of glass surface by plasma irradiation; S23: Coat the sidewalls of the initial groove and the junctions between the sidewalls and corners with a silane coupling agent solution; the pH value of the silane coupling agent solution is 8-9; the silane coupling agent is γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, i.e., KH-550. The junction between the sidewalls and corners refers to the area where the bottom of the initial groove is less than or equal to 2 mm from the sidewall. The initial groove is rectangular, with a long side dimension of 10 mm and a wide side dimension of 7 mm; the junction between the sidewalls and corners refers to a 2 mm wide annular rectangular area at the bottom edge of the initial groove.
[0058] S3: Second etching of the touch screen button glass: Immerse the touch screen button glass in the second etching solution for etching to form button grooves; the second etching solution includes the following components by weight fraction: 3 parts hydrofluoric acid, 8 parts sulfuric acid, 6 parts hydrochloric acid, 8 parts organic acid solution and 80 parts deionized water; the organic acid is oxalic acid.
[0059] The thickness at the corner of the button recess is 0.11mm, and the thickness in the middle area is 0.1mm.
[0060] S4: Chemically strengthen the touchscreen button glass to create a button area that protrudes from the non-button area. The chemical strengthening process involves pre-baking the glass at 300℃ for 1.5 hours, strengthening it at 420℃ for 1 hour, and finally cooling it to below 150℃ before removing it from the furnace.
[0061] Experimental Example The CS (Compressive Surface Stress) and DOL (Depth of Layer) values of the central regions of the products in Examples 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-3 were measured using an FSM-6000LEIR stress meter. The CS value, or Compressive Surface Stress, is a key indicator for measuring the magnitude of compressive stress on the glass surface. The DOL value, or Depth of Layer, refers to the distance from the glass surface to the boundary between the compressive stress layer and the internal tensile stress layer. The measurement results are shown in Table 1.
[0062] Table 1. Stress test results in each embodiment and comparative example.
[0063] In Examples 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-3, the thickness of the middle region of the button groove is 0.1 mm. In contrast, the corners of the button groove in Examples 1-4 of this application have a relatively larger thickness. This indicates that adding oxalic acid and ethylene glycol methyl ether to the second etching solution can effectively occupy the corners, contributing to the formation of a button groove that is thinner in the middle and thicker at the edges. In Comparative Examples 1 and 2, no oxalic acid was added, so the thickness at the corners and the thickness of the middle region were basically the same, indicating uniform etching. In Comparative Example 3, no ethylene glycol methyl ether was added, and the oxalic acid's occupying effect at the corners was not significant, resulting in a smaller thickness difference between the middle and edge regions.
[0064] In Examples 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-3, the chemical strengthening parameters were the same. Under different thickness distributions of the button grooves, it can be seen that the greater the thickness difference between the middle and edge regions of the button groove, the higher the CS and DOL values, indicating better impact resistance, overall strength, and durability of the button groove. A higher warpage height indicates a more pronounced pressing feel. The button grooves formed in Examples 1-4 have a more significant thickness difference. Under the same chemical strengthening parameters, the final product has a relatively higher CS and DOL values compared to the comparative examples, and a more pronounced warpage height.
[0065] This application first etches the touchscreen button glass to form an initial groove, with the thickness at the bottom of the initial groove being uniform throughout. Then, a silane coupling agent solution is coated onto the sidewalls and corners of the initial groove, allowing the silane coupling agent solution to adhere to these areas. Next, the touchscreen undergoes a second etching process. The second etching solution contains organic acid and ethylene glycol methyl ether. Ethylene glycol methyl ether promotes the dissolution between the organic acid and hydrofluoric acid. Simultaneously, the silane coupling agent at the sidewalls and corners of the initial groove forms stable siloxane bonds with the glass surface, strengthening the sidewalls and corners. The interface bonding force is increased, and the surface free energy at the sidewalls and corners is improved. The organic acids in the second etching solution are preferentially adsorbed at the sidewalls and corners with higher surface energy, forming occupants. During the second etching process, the etching depth in the middle area of the initial groove bottom is greater than the etching depth at the corners, ultimately making the thickness at the corners of the button groove greater than the thickness in the middle area. In the subsequent chemical strengthening process, the strengthening stress is concentrated in the middle area of the button area, which can quickly and efficiently form the target warp height, reduce the parameter requirements of chemical strengthening, improve the efficiency of chemical strengthening, and thus improve the production efficiency of touch screens.
[0066] This application also provides a touch screen button glass, which is manufactured by the processing technology described above. In the touch screen button glass, the height of the central protrusion of the button area is greater than the height of the edge protrusion. When the user operates, the central area is pressed first, which can provide the user with a keyboard-like pressing feel. At the same time, the central area of the button position has a larger protrusion and the edge area has a smaller protrusion, which is convenient for touch and pressing.
[0067] It is understood that the above embodiments only illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can freely combine the above technical features without departing from the concept of the present invention, and can also make several modifications and improvements, all of which fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent transformations and modifications made with respect to the scope of the claims of the present invention should fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.
Claims
1. A processing technology for touchscreen button glass, characterized in that, include: The first etching of the touch screen button glass is performed as follows: a mask is placed on the surface of the touch screen button glass, leaving the position of the groove to be etched. The touch screen button glass is then immersed in the first etching solution for etching to form the initial groove. The first etching solution includes hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and deionized water. A silane coupling agent solution is applied to the sidewalls of the initial groove and at the junctions of the sidewalls and corners; A second etching process is performed on the touchscreen button glass: the touchscreen button glass is immersed in a second etching solution for etching to form button grooves; the second etching solution includes hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid solution, organic acid, ethylene glycol methyl ether, and deionized water; the thickness at the corners of the button groove is greater than the thickness in the middle area; The touchscreen button glass is chemically strengthened to create a button area that protrudes from the non-button area.
2. The processing technology for touchscreen button glass according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first etching solution comprises the following components in weight fractions: 2-4 parts hydrofluoric acid, 7-9 parts sulfuric acid, 5-7 parts hydrochloric acid, and 78-82 parts deionized water.
3. The processing technology for touchscreen button glass according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second etching solution comprises the following components in weight fractions: 2-4 parts hydrofluoric acid, 7-9 parts sulfuric acid, 5-7 parts hydrochloric acid, 7-9 parts organic acid solution, 2-4 parts ethylene glycol methyl ether, and 78-82 parts deionized water.
4. The processing technology for touchscreen button glass according to claim 3, characterized in that, The organic acid is oxalic acid.
5. The processing technology for touchscreen button glass according to claim 3, characterized in that, Before applying the silane coupling agent solution, clean the glass surface with alcohol or acetone.
6. The processing technology for touchscreen button glass according to claim 5, characterized in that, After cleaning the glass surface with alcohol or acetone, activate the glass surface by plasma or ultraviolet irradiation.
7. The processing technology for touchscreen button glass according to claim 3, characterized in that, The pH value of the silane coupling agent solution is 8-9; the silane coupling agent is γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane.
8. The processing technology for touchscreen button glass according to claim 3, characterized in that, The connection between the sidewall and the corner refers to the area where the bottom of the initial groove is less than or equal to 2 mm from the sidewall.
9. The processing technology for touchscreen button glass according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness at the corner of the button groove is 0.1-0.25mm, and the thickness in the middle area of the button groove is 0.05-0.2mm.
10. A touchscreen button glass, characterized in that, It is prepared based on the processing technology of a touch screen button glass according to any one of claims 1-9.