Learn about touchscreen durability and reliability standards

In demanding environments—from factory floors to outdoor kiosks—capacitive touchscreens must meet rigorous testing standards to ensure reliability and longevity. This article provides a clear, concise overview of the most critical durability benchmarks: Ingress Protection (IP) ratings for dust and water resistance, Impact Protection (IK) for mechanical shocks, and the Mohs hardness test for scratch resistance. Understanding these international standards helps select the right touchscreen solution for any application.

IP Rating (Ingress Protection Rating) 

The IP rating identifies the protection ability of capacitive touch screens against solid objects and liquids. It consists of two numbers that represent different levels of protection. The first number indicates the level of protection against solid objects, ranging from 0 to 6; The second number indicates the level of protection against liquids, ranging from 0 to 9.

Level of protection against solid objects (first number) :

IP0X: No special protection, no protection capability.

IP1X: It has certain protection ability for solid objects with a diameter greater than 50mm.

IP2X: Has a certain protection ability for solid objects with a diameter greater than 12.5mm.

IP3X: Has a certain protection ability for solid objects with a diameter greater than 2.5mm.

IP4X: It has certain protection ability for solid objects with a diameter greater than 1mm.

IP5X: Has a certain protection ability against dust, but cannot completely prevent dust from entering.

IP6X: has very high protection against dust, completely prevents dust from entering.

Level of protection against liquids (second number) :

IPX0: No special protection, no protection capability.

IPX1: Has certain protection against vertical dripping.

IPX2: It has certain protection ability against inclined dripping within 15 degrees.

IPX3: It has certain protection ability to spray water within 60 degrees.

IPX4: It has certain protection against splashing water in any direction.

IPX5: It has certain protection ability against low pressure water spraying.

IPX6: It has certain protection ability against strong water spraying.

IPX7: can work in a water depth of 1 meter in a short time.

IPX8: Works for long periods of time or deeper underwater.

IK (Impact Protection Rating) 

The IK rating is used to assess the impact resistance of capacitive touch screens to external forces. It consists of a number that ranges from 0 to 10, with higher numbers indicating greater impact resistance.

IK0: No special protection, no impact protection.

IK1: Provides some protection against the impact of 1.7 joules (0.5 kg of objects hitting at 10 cm/s).

IK2: Provides some protection against the impact of 3.4 joules (a 1 kg object hitting at a speed of 10 cm/s).

IK3: Has some protection against the impact of 5.1 joules (1.5 kg object hit at 10 cm/s).

IK4: Provides some protection against the impact of 6.8 joules (a 2 kg object hitting at a speed of 10 cm/s).

IK5: Provides some protection against 11 joules (5kg objects hitting at a speed of 10 cm/s).

IK6: Has some protection against the impact of 20 joules (10 kg objects hit at 10 cm/s).

IK7: Provides some protection against the impact of 40 joules (a 20 kg object hitting at a speed of 10 cm/s).

IK8: Provides some protection against the impact of 80 joules (40 kg objects hitting at a speed of 10 cm/s).

IK9: Provides some protection against the impact of 170 joules (68 kg objects hitting at 10 cm/s).

IK10: Provides some protection against the impact of 340 joules (100 kg objects hitting at 10 cm/s).

Mohs Hardness Test

Measures a material’s ability to resist scratching by comparing it against reference minerals. Use a set of reference minerals (or calibrated picks) of known Mohs hardness. Draw each reference across the sample surface under a standardized load. Identify the highest-numbered mineral that does not scratch the surface; this number equals the sample’s Mohs hardness.

Talc – Very soft; easily scratched

Gypsum – Very soft; scratched by fingernail

Calcite – Soft; scratched by steel knife

Fluorite – Moderately soft; common in decorative stones

Apatite – Moderate hardness; used in phosphates

Orthoclase Feldspar – Hard; scratches glass

Quartz – Hard; typical cover glass substrate

Topaz – Very hard; gemstone quality

Corundum – Extremely hard; sapphire/ruby (industrial abrasives)

Diamond – Hardest known mineral; reference standard

More test standards

Certainly, the testing mentioned above is far from sufficient for a fully functional touchscreen to reach end users reliably.

Optical clarity is verified by measuring light transmission, haze, and reflectance to ensure displays remain visible under various lighting conditions.

Environmental resilience is assessed through thermal shock and humidity cycle tests, revealing any tendencies for material stress or moisture ingress.

Electrical immunity tests—including electrostatic discharge and electromagnetic compatibility protocols—confirm that screens operate reliably amid static shocks and RF interference.

Chemical and corrosion resistance evaluations, such as salt spray exposure and contact with common cleaning agents or oils, ensure that touchscreens withstand sanitization, spills, and corrosive atmospheres without loss of functionality.

Conclusion

A well-chosen capacitive touchscreen must align its protection and performance credentials with the demands of its operating environment. Whether deployed in wet outdoor terminals, high-impact industrial controls, or hygienic medical workstations, selecting a display verified to the appropriate IP, IK, and surface durability standards is critical for maximizing reliability and preventing unexpected downtime.