1. What exactly is the surface hardening treatment process?
It refers to forming a dense hardened layer on the surface of PS sheets through methods such as coating with hardening coatings (e.g., silicone-based, acrylic-based hardening fluids), plasma treatment, or chemical strengthening. The core purpose is to improve the sheet's surface hardness, scratch resistance, and wear resistance while retaining its transparency as much as possible.
2. How much does the wear resistance improve after hardening treatment?
After hardening treatment, the surface hardness can usually be increased from 2-3H (pencil hardness) of ordinary PS sheets to 4-6H. In the Taber Abrasion Test (under 500g load), the wear loss can be reduced by 30%-60% (specific values vary by treatment process and formula), which significantly reduces scratches caused by daily friction.
3. Will hardening treatment affect the transparency of the sheet?
High-quality hardening processes (e.g., optical-grade hardening coatings) will not significantly affect transparency, and the light transmittance of the finished product can be maintained at 88%-92% (close to unhardened PS sheets). If the process is immature or the coating material is poor, slight haze, yellowing, or reduced light transmittance may occur.
4. Is the hardened layer prone to peeling or cracking?
Under normal use (avoiding violent impact with sharp objects and high-temperature exposure), the hardened layer adheres closely to the substrate and is not easy to peel off. However, long-term exposure to extreme environments (e.g., temperature exceeding 80℃, frequent temperature changes) or strong impacts may cause cracking or peeling.
5. What should be noted when cleaning PS sheets with hardening treatment?
When cleaning, still use a soft cloth (microfiber cloth, cotton cloth) and neutral detergent. Avoid using cleaning products containing abrasive particles (e.g., scouring powder) or hard brushes, as they may wear the surface of the hardened layer and affect wear resistance and transparency.
6. How to judge if a PS sheet has undergone surface hardening treatment?
It can be judged by two simple methods: first, by the appearance of the protective film—sheets with a green protective film attached are usually hardened products, while those with only a transparent protective film are not hardened; second, by a physical scratch test: gently scratch the sheet surface with a fingernail or ordinary metal key—hardened sheets are not easy to leave scratches, while unprocessed ordinary PS sheets are prone to obvious scratches. You can also use a pencil hardness tester to check if the surface hardness reaches 4H or above.