Top 3 Surface Treatments : AG(anti-glare), AR(anti-reflection) and AF(anti-fingerprint)

Anti-glare, anti-reflection, and anti-fingerprint are three common surface treatments of the glass to reduce visual interference and achieve better visual effects.

3 Surface Treatments of Glass : AG, AR, AF

AG (Anti-Glare) coating

AG coating makes the reflective surface of the glass become a matte surface and changes the surface roughness by the method of chemical etching or spraying coat, to achieve a matte effect.
When the external light reflects onto the glass surface, diffuse reflection occurs, as to reduce the reflection of light. We can experience better vision and avoid glare.

Anti-glare coating Glass

Anti-glare glass are commonly used for outdoor LCD display or display under strong light. Such as advertising screens, ATMs, POS cash registers, medical B-ultrasound displays, e-book readers, subway ticket checkers, etc.

AR (Anti-Reflection) coating

AR coating reduces the reflectivity of glass and increases the transmittance by optical coating technology. It can increase the transmittance of the glass to more than 99% at most and control reflectivity to less than 1%.
By improving the glass transmission, the image of the display screen will be presented more clearly,  and we can enjoy a more comfortable vision.

Anti-reflection glass is widely used in HD displays, photo frames, mobile phones, and cameras of various instruments, front and rear windscreens of cars, the solar photovoltaic industry, etc.

AF (Anti-Fingerprint) coating

AF coating is a layer of nano-materials on the surface of the glass by imitation of the lotus leaf effect. The surface has strong hydrophobicity, and can resist oil stains and fingerprint residuals.
It is smooth and comfortable to touch.

Anti-fingerprint coating can apply to all touch screens and only need to be on the front side of the glass (non-tin side). 

Anti-fingerprint coating Glass

How to quickly identify AG/AR/AF glass?

Here are some ways to quickly identify them through small experiments:

AG glass

Put a piece of glass under a daylight lamp, then view the lamp from the glass. If the light is dispersed, it’s an AG surface; and if that is clearly visible, it’s not.

Ordinary glass vs. Anti-glare glass

AR glass

Put a piece of ordinary glass and AR glass in front of the computer respectively or under sunlight. The image through AR glass shows more clear than through ordinary glass.

Ordinary glass vs. Anti-reflection glass

AF glass

Method 1 : Drops of water on the glass surface, if the water can roll freely, this is the AF surface.

Method 2: Use a grease pen drawing lines on the surface of the glass, it is hard to mark on the surface with anti-finger coating.

Mark left on ordinary glass vs.Anti-fingerprint glass

AG+AR+AF Glass Applications :  

To reduce visual interference and achieve better visual effects in different scenarios. The terminal design usually chooses a combination of multi-coating surface treatments of the glass.On the surface of AG, we can also add on an AR coating or apply other combinations, like  AG + AF, AR + AF, and AG + AR + AF.

Tibbo Glass has been committed to the display cover glass industry for more than ten years, and the product covers many fields. Any questions or requirements on the cover glass and touch screen glass module, contact us to get a connection with our technology team for further discussion.