Why Oleophobic Surface Treatment Is Essential
Glass used in displays, optical windows and instrument interfaces is frequently exposed to fingerprints, skin oils, water, dirt and repeated cleaning. On untreated surfaces, this contamination can reduce visible clarity and increase the effort required to maintain a clean optical surface.
Oleophobic treatment is used to:
- Reduce fingerprint and smudge adhesion
- Repel oils, water and other liquids
- Make the glass easier to clean and maintain
- Reduce dirt and dust buildup
- Reduce surface friction and improve resistance to scratching
The coating is particularly useful where glass is handled repeatedly, used outdoors or cleaned frequently during normal operation.
Glass & Optical Substrates We Coat
| Substrate | Surface Treatment Role | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Soda-Lime Glass | Oil-, water- and fingerprint-resistant easy-clean surface | Displays, control panels and cover glass |
| Borosilicate Glass | Reduced contamination and easier surface maintenance | Technical and optical windows |
| Gorilla® Glass | Low-friction protective surface for frequently handled glass | Touch and portable displays |
| Fused Silica | Oleophobic and hydrophobic protection for optical surfaces | Optical and detector windows |
| AR-Coated Glass | Protective easy-clean layer over compatible AR coatings | Optical windows, cameras and displays |
Oleophobic coating can be applied to glass substrates ranging from 0.2 mm to 127 mm thick, with coated sizes up to 88 × 126 in.
Oleophobic Coating Capabilities
| Capability | Function | Published Performance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint & Smudge Resistance | Reduces adherence of skin oils and fingerprints | Oleophobic surface behavior | Cleaner visible surface after repeated handling |
| Water & Liquid Repellency | Reduces wetting by water and other liquids | Oleophobic + hydrophobic properties | Easier cleaning and reduced surface contamination |
| Abrasion Protection | Reduces friction and protects the treated surface | >12,000 steel-wool rub cycles | Improved resistance to frequent use and cleaning |
| AR-Coating Protection | Adds easy-clean protection over compatible AR coatings | <0.5% photopic reflection maintained | Low-reflection surface with added contamination resistance |
| Large-Format Coating | Supports thin glass through thick optical components | 0.2–127 mm thick; up to 88 × 126 in | Broad component-size coverage |
Oleophobic Surface Protection
- Easy-to-Clean Surface — the non-stick surface reduces dirt and contamination buildup
- Fingerprint & Smudge Resistance — reduces adherence of fingerprints and oils during repeated handling
- Oleophobic + Hydrophobic Protection — repels both oil and water from the treated surface
- Scratch & Abrasion Resistance — reduced surface friction provides additional protection during use and cleaning
- Indoor & Outdoor Capability — suitable for applications requiring exposure to UV and higher environmental temperatures
Steel-Wool Abrasion Resistance
>12,000 CyclesGlass Thickness Range
0.2–127 mmMaximum Coated Size
88 × 126 inOleophobic Coating Application Cases
Displays & Instrument Interfaces
Displays and instrument panels are repeatedly touched and cleaned during everyday use. Oleophobic treatment helps reduce visible fingerprints and smudges while making surface maintenance easier.
- Portable instrument displays
- Vehicular displays
- Indoor touch displays
- Indoor console displays
- Portable medical displays
- Lab instrument panels
Outdoor Optical Windows
Outdoor camera and detector windows are exposed to moisture, oils, dirt, dust and environmental contamination while still requiring a clean optical path. Oleophobic and hydrophobic surface properties help reduce contamination on:
- Outdoor displays
- Outdoor CCD camera windows
- Outdoor detector cover glass
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Oleophobic treatment is often used over compatible anti-reflection coatings when the optical surface requires frequent cleaning, fingerprint resistance and additional surface protection.
The coating is described as not being detected by a spectrophotometer and does not change the spectral performance of the underlying AR coating. On the referenced AR-coated surface, photopic reflection remains below 0.5%.
Oleophobic coating can be applied to substrates from approximately 0.2 mm to 127 mm thick, with coated sizes up to 88 × 126 in.
The published abrasion resistance exceeds 12,000 steel-wool rub cycles. Its low coefficient of friction also helps reduce surface scratching during frequent use and cleaning.
Add Easy-Clean Protection to Glass & Optical Surfaces
Oleophobic treatment provides an additional easy-clean, fingerprint-resistant and water-repellent surface for frequently handled displays, instrument panels, outdoor windows and compatible AR-coated optics.
Get in Touch Today
Need oleophobic protection for display glass, optical windows, instrument panels or an AR-coated component?
Send your substrate, dimensions and surface requirements to discuss the coating configuration.