What Is The Material Of Your Phone Body?

Smartphones have become a necessity in people's lives and are the most popular electronic digital products nowadays. Performance is important when choosing a phone, but so is the appearance, feel and sturdiness of the phone, which mainly depend on the quality of the phone's body. At present, the main materials of the body of mobile phones are metals, glass, and plastics, and ceramic materials are also used in some more advanced mobile phones.

Metal Body

The metal body is made primarily of aluminium alloy, which is mixed with a small amount of magnesium or other metal materials to enhance its strength. Magnesium-aluminium alloy and titanium-aluminium alloy are now commonly used as the body of mobile phones. Presently, aluminium is the most versatile and cost-effective smartphone body material, and it is more recyclable than titanium and magnesium.

Recent innovations have introduced magnesium and titanium alloys in high-end models, offering enhanced strength and reduced weight. Magnesium, lighter than aluminium, provides excellent durability and heat dissipation. Titanium, known for its superior strength and corrosion resistance, is used in luxury smartphones despite its higher cost.

Glass Body

The glass used in the mobile phone body is a type of chemically reinforced glass, and its raw material is a special sodium silicate glass material, which can enhance its strength by exchanging sodium ions and potassium ions. Because the ion-exchange layer is conducted uniformly, the chemically toughened glass method is used to enhance the thin glass with significant effect, especially suitable for glass under 5mm.

Chemically strengthened glass, such as Corning Gorilla Glass, is used for its resistance to scratches and impacts. The latest advancements, such as Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, provide even better durability against drops and scratches. Glass is also fully recyclable, making it an eco-friendly option.

Plastic Body

The most common plastic material in mobile phones today is polycarbonate (PC), which is resistant to weak acids and alkalis, as well as neutral oil. Additionally, PC materials have fire resistance, wear resistance, and oxidation resistance. The plastic body has many advantages, such as high strength and elasticity, high impact strength, high transparency, and free dyeing. Moreover, PC materials are tasteless, odourless, and harmless to human health.

However, the main performance defect of PC is that its hydrolytic stability is not sufficiently high, and it will turn yellow when exposed to ultraviolet rays for a prolonged period. Like other resins, the PC is vulnerable to certain organic solvents. Innovations in biodegradable plastics and recycled materials are making plastic bodies more environmentally friendly. These innovations offer better durability and resistance to environmental factors. While plastic may not provide the same premium feel as metal or glass, it is often better at withstanding drops and other impacts.

Ceramic Body

Ceramic materials such as yttria-stabilised zirconia are composite materials. Yttrium oxide (yttria) is used as a stabiliser. The material is primarily tetrahedral and has the highest bending strength of all zirconia materials, especially when sintered. Recent advancements in ceramic technology have improved its impact resistance and reduced brittleness. Ceramics are gaining popularity for their strength and durability. Additionally, ceramic materials are non-conductive, which aids in maintaining good signal transmission.

Ceramic materials exhibit the luster of metal and good ductility, which reduces issues such as glass body bursting during later finishing. Although the ductility has improved, ceramics remain prone to breaking due to high hardness. Furthermore, although it is not as pronounced as metal, ceramic materials still have certain shielding properties for signals, which places higher demands on the manufacturer's antenna design.

Future Trends

The smartphone industry is continually innovating, and new materials are being explored to improve durability, sustainability, and aesthetics. Composite materials are becoming more popular, combining the strengths of different materials to create strong, lightweight bodies. There is also an increasing focus on sustainability, with more manufacturers using recycled materials and environmentally-friendly production processes.

Conclusion

The material of your phone body plays a crucial role in its overall performance and feel. From metals to ceramics, each material offers unique benefits and challenges. As technology advances, we can expect even more innovative materials to be employed in the smartphones of the future.