"New Materials" Polycarbonate: mobile phone color

" Plastic color is both an art and a science , the challenge lies in the color printing paper or metal surface matched to the plastic , because the plastic and paint color way is different ." Clay said , the phone color there are two requirements: the technical point of view , it is necessary both to meet before the preparation of a color specific physical requirements and handset manufacturers to meet the material needs ; challenge lies in the art how to restore the vision of designer colors .

"You can pick your favorite car color , as long as it is black ." Henry Ford (Henry Ford) left a hundred years ago this sentence basic coverage smartphone users the choice of a few years ago . Three years ago, you walk into any store a smart phone , you can see all the different rows Logo printed black box , and perhaps a few white foreigners.

Now the situation has been very different , Google has just launched its own brand mobile phone Nexus 5 is equipped with red, yellow, black, gray four protective shell available. Apple launched iPhone 5c by autumn green, white , blue , pink, yellow color of these five active attempt to locate the young fashion market - Not the most traditional black . Cooperation with Nokia even launched cosmetic brand Duality Cosmetics nail polish with colorful Lumia smartphone.

The base color trend attributed to advances in materials and processing technologies. The current color of the body most smartphones polycarbonate (Polycarbonate) material .

Polycarbonate is a hard and impact resistant thermoplastic polymer material , is widely used in aerospace , automotive , CDs and lens production . As the only five transparent plastic products , polycarbonate easy to color , but also easy to shape .






Nokia's first color polycarbonate used in smart phones will be on the second half of 2011 listed the Nokia N9 phone brings magenta , blue two color body choices. Then HTC and Apple began in 8X, iPhone 5c other products with color polycarbonate body .

The process, the early plastic phones are often the first to open the mold , stamping mass production by multi-block housing components , and finally put together . This produced a large number of mobile phone fuselage cracks and easy to fade , leaving the user the impression that cheap .

In order to change the old impression , smart phone manufacturers began processing the entire body in a single piece of colored polycarbonate material , cut open with a drill drilled camera, speaker , power and volume keys need.

After the introduction of CNC machine tools , the body needs a machining , reducing the speed of mass production . But the new mode of production so that one type of body as possible, leaving no gaps on the shell , get rid of the cheap plastic feel .

"We started working from a single piece of polycarbonate material , the surface is completely seamless . Then CNC machine perfectly cut out the opening button ." Apple's vice president of design , Jonathan Ive (Jonathan Ive) so introduce iPhone 5c production process , " which can bring a reliable , compact feel, and your expectations of different plastic products ."

Easy to fade early plastic products , these phones fuselage polycarbonate material used in the production process will be completed tinted , rather than after the completion of the production casing surface color . As a color consistency within and outside the body , even if the surface wear is also not fade , increased color durability.

Different vendors to consider different colors . Nokia color material design director Grace Bois Serge (Grace Boicel) said that her team pick a color from the printing industry standard CMYK color format , and because consumers are already familiar with these colors , do not feel out of date.

"CMYK is the color most pure form, which is not affected by the trend , if you use the popular colors , the user may insecurity , fear colors become obsolete next year ." Bois Searle said , "People are familiar with these colors, it such as the color of the primitive , which is what we need to pay attention when dealing with polycarbonate , and we hope to obtain pure color pigments used in the product . "Sellotape


Apple iPhone 5c in the choice of body colors to meet the new operating system iOS 7, through bright colors and reflective effect set off a new version of iOS system is a breakthrough in the interface and icon design , implement software and hardware unified design style.

"Specific formulations can provide a wealth of polycarbonate as shiny jewel -like colors for the device , which is important for handset manufacturers ." Innovative Plastics Consumer Electronics Marketing Director Matt Craven SABIC (Matt Gray) said . SABIC is one of Apple's suppliers , have a special color Innovation Center developed a different color .

" Plastic color is both an art and a science , the challenge lies in the color printing paper or metal surface matched to the plastic , because the plastic and paint color way is different ." Clay said , the phone color there are two requirements: the technical point of view , it is necessary both to meet before the preparation of a color specific physical requirements and handset manufacturers to meet the material needs ; challenge lies in the art how to restore the vision of designer colors .

Even the most basic white , under the influence of different materials , surface treatment and the light source will bring a different visual experience. "There are many different types of ' white' , they can be an emotional connection with consumers , and to bring value and quality distinguished by subtle changes Apple already knew that." Materials consulting firm Material ConneXion Shanghai Museum Operations Director Dong said . She was referring to the unique characteristics of the selected number iPhone 5c .

Mobile surface treatment is a key part of the final , which relates to the final touch devices , but also reflect the comprehensive factors of color and shape , divided into two general matt and high-gloss surfaces .

Use frosted matte , surface hazy , seemed low-key sedate ; polished high-gloss , surface smooth bright, stylish looks gorgeous . How to choose a different surface , but also to match the corresponding colors, textures and effects needs, so choose a suitable surface material processes , needs and production processes simultaneously.Washi tape


Apple 's iPhone 5c polycarbonate surface adds a layer of highly reflective , high hardness transparent coating , while protecting the body also allows the phone to reflect more light in indoor lighting , with bright colors bring similar colored candy feeling.

Nokia Lumia 625 uses a translucent surface is matte processing , so there is a layered polycarbonate surface color effects , in the light to create a soft visual effect.Masking tape


There is no doubt that the market is changing , black is no longer dominate the world . People are keen to have more choices , consumers know better products, more personalized requirements. Bois Searle said the current quarter, Nokia sold per millions of smart phones , has less than half the percentage of black .

"Considering there are only a few years ago the black market , I believe this is a result of the changing role of smart phones Smart phones have completely for business people, they want to look very serious ." Bois Searle said she believes smart phone color choices will be more abundant, "Today almost everyone holding smart phones, we have to consider everyone's taste, different people 's views on a completely different color ."Wholesale masking tape