Reasons Behind & Solutions for iPhone 6 Frame and LCD Separation Issues
Undoubtedly, OEM parts are better than refurbished or aftermarket parts whether in quality or durability. However, as the OEM parts are far more expensive and the supply is not always that stable, most repairs are done with refurbished or aftermarket parts, which can result in many irritating problems. For example, currently iPhone 6 frames are suffering from separation after being assembled with the LCD assemblies. Here we’re going to explain why this happens and how to prevent it.
Reasons:
1. Glue
Generally, iPhone 6 LCD assemblies and frames are held together by PUR glue, which has two types HMG (Hot Melt Glue) and CPG (Cold Press Glue). OEM factories use CPG to assemble the screen and frame, which requires 15 seconds cooling time, 2-3 hours protecting time (Protecting time: time to keep the mold to hold the glued parts). It needs higher cost, longer working time and better equipment to produce and handle. While the assembled flex or refurbished iPhone 6 screen replacements are glued with HMG which the cooling time is 10 seconds and the protecting time is only around 6 seconds. It costs less, doesn’t require a strict working environment, has a shorter working time and results in weaker stickiness.
HMG quality also varies by Low, Middle and High grades due to the different prices. Most third-party manufacturers use mid-grade glue for Apple products, however, it is not sticky enough to meet the higher requirements as the iPhone 6’s frame is thinner and the screen is bigger than previous models.
2. Frame
For assembled flex and refurbished iPhone screen assemblies with frames, both the frame and the front glass are high copies, and the frame is custom-made according to the size of the original front glass. After the molds of these two parts have been made, third party factories will constantly use them which means once the frame separation problems had occurred, many of the parts have already been sold in the market previously and currently.
The sizes of the iPhone 4/4S, 5/5C/5S and 6 frames are as follows.
Model
|
iPhone 4/4S
|
iPhone 5/5C/5S
|
iPhone 6
|
Frame Width
|
1.5 mm
|
1.4 mm
|
1.4 mm
|
Screen Size
|
3.5 inches
|
4.0 inches
|
4.7 inches
|
We can see that the edge of the iPhone’s frame has been getting progressively thinner and thinner, thus the bonding area of the screen and frame is getting smaller. As we mentioned before not only is the problem with the mid-grade glue, but also with the machinery as well as the process that is used for previous iPhone models are not applicable any longer.
As you can see, there’re black areas on the bottom of 5/5C/5S and 6 frames. OEM factories will apply adhesive on that area, while many third-party factories won’t apply any adhesive to those areas in order to cut costs, which results in the glass separating from the frame.
The quality of high copy frames and front glass are not as good as OEM ones, the surface areas of these two high copy parts may not be smooth enough to ensure sufficient contact for the adhesive. This is also a reason why the frame tends to fall off.
※ Extended Research: Why the assembled flex frames have a higher refurbish rate than the OEM ones?
The high copy frames used in assembled flex parts are not as strong as the OEM counterparts, and third-party factories have lengthened the height of the frame in order to increase the bonding area. The height ofOEM iPhone 6 frames is 0.89 mm VS 1.18 mm for the high copy iPhone 6 frame.
3. Glass
iPhone 6 Frame iPhone 6 Glass
The assembly work put into iPhone 6 screens and frames should be done in a dust-free room, but many third-party manufacturers are unable to meet this standard. Dust easily sticks to the glass unless these conditions are met, which will affect the quality of the glue.
Besides, there’s a varnish on the bottom of the iPhone 6 glass, if it is not sticky enough and coming off, the frame is guaranteed to come off as well.
ETS Solutions:
1. Working Standards
▪ Use high grade HMG to assemble iPhone 6 LCD assemblies and frames
▪ All work is done in a dust-free room.
▪ Closely monitor the timing and temperature during the assembly work. (Cooling time: 15 seconds).
2. Source Standards
▪ Frame thickness should be less than 1 mm.
▪ Carefully select glass lenses with stickier varnish.
3. QC Standards
▪ Daily test: add forces when testing the frame, and peel the frame off the glass to test the strength of the glue.
▪ Durability test: after assembling the frame to the screen, heat the part at 50℃ for 30 minutes, then place it under 0℃ temperatures for 120 minutes.
