Displays used in industrial applications must remain fully operational despite challenging environmental conditions. Variable weather, vibrations, impacts, dust, moisture, and intensive use are part of everyday reality – factors that need to be accounted for from the outset. One of the key threats in such environments is mechanical damage – both accidental and intentional. That’s where the IK rating becomes particularly important, as it defines a device’s level of resistance to physical impact. In this article, we explain what the IK rating is, how to interpret its levels, and which solutions can effectively protect displays from mechanical damage.
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What Is the IK Rating?
The IK rating is a classification system that defines the degree of protection a device’s enclosure offers against mechanical impact. In the case of displays, this typically refers to the protective glass. The higher the IK level, the greater the resistance to damage, whether caused by accidental impacts or deliberate high-force actions, including acts of vandalism.
The IK code system is based on the international standard IEC 62262, which standardizes the testing methods for assessing a device’s mechanical impact resistance. Each level corresponds to a specific amount of energy the device must withstand without sustaining damage.
Understanding the IK Scale – How to Interpret Protection Levels
IK protection levels are denoted by a two-digit code, ranging from IK00 (no protection) to IK10 (the highest level of resistance). Each level indicates how much impact force the device can withstand without sustaining damage.
The impact energy, which forms the basis of the IK classification, is expressed in joules (J) – a unit of physical energy. In this context, it refers to the amount of kinetic energy with which an object strikes the device’s surface. To determine the appropriate protection level, tests are conducted in accordance with the IEC 62262 standard. These involve controlled mechanical impact using a calibrated hammer of a defined mass, dropped from a specified height to deliver a precise energy value. It is worth noting, however, that IK resistance tests are carried out under controlled laboratory conditions, whereas in real-world use, devices may be exposed to forces of different characteristics or directions. This natural discrepancy between testing environments and actual use should be considered during the design process.
The table below presents the full IK classification scale, including the corresponding impact energy and a description of the protection level.
| IK Rating | Impact Energy | Protection Description |
| IK00 | 0 J | No protection |
| IK01 | 0,15 J | Protection against very minor impacts, e.g., a light finger tap |
| IK02 | 0,20 J | Protection against incidental light contact, e.g., a slight knock with the hand |
| IK03 | 0,35 J | Protection against light impacts, e.g., with a plastic object or a thin cable |
| IK04 | 0,50 J | Protection against accidental knocks, e.g., slight contact with a tool |
| IK05 | 0,70 J | Protection against moderate impacts, e.g., a knock with a key or screwdriver |
| IK06 | 1 J | Protection against stronger contact, e.g., a forceful hit with a hand |
| IK07 | 2 J | Protection against impact with a small tool dropped from a short height |
| IK08 | 5 J | Protection against substantial impact, e.g., dropping a heavier tool onto the device |
| IK09 | 10 J | Protection against very strong impact, e.g., with a steel rod or heavy tool |
| IK10 | 20 J | Maximum protection – resistant to vandalism, e.g., impact with a hammer |
How Do We Protect Displays from Mechanical Damage?
For displays exposed to potential mechanical impacts, the key lies in using appropriate technologies and materials that ensure durability and reliable performance under demanding operating conditions.
Protective Glass with Adequate Thickness
The impact resistance of a display largely depends on the properties of the protective glass. Two key factors are the type of material used – typically tempered or chemically strengthened glass – and its thickness, which should be selected according to the required IK protection level. In industrial applications, glass thicknesses ranging from 1.1 mm to 6 mm are commonly used, providing sufficient protection to meet even high IK ratings, such as IK08–IK10. However, it’s essential to note that overall durability also depends on how the display is mounted and on the structural design of the device itself.
To further enhance mechanical protection, it is worth considering laminated protective glass – constructed from multiple layers of glass bonded together with a PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral) film or resin. This design effectively absorbs impact energy and reduces the risk of breakage; in case of fracture, it holds the glass fragments in place, improving user safety. Laminated glass not only strengthens the entire display assembly but also offers increased resistance to vibrations, UV radiation, noise, and fluctuating environmental conditions, making it an excellent choice for outdoor installations and harsh industrial environments.
Optical Bonding
Optical bonding involves permanently attaching the protective glass to the display module using a transparent optical adhesive – typically OCR (Optically Clear Resin) or OCA (Optically Clear Adhesive). Filling the air gap between layers significantly increases the overall rigidity of the structure, allowing the screen to better withstand point pressure, shocks, and mechanical impacts. Additionally, eliminating the air gap reduces the risk of internal fogging and condensation, which further contributes to device durability, especially in environments subject to temperature fluctuations or elevated humidity. All these factors make optical bonding a key solution in the design of ruggedized displays, essential for achieving higher IK protection levels.
Frame Design and Mounting Method
The impact resistance of a display depends not only on the materials and technologies used, but also on how it is mounted within the enclosure. Placing the display in a properly engineered frame – typically made of aluminum or steel – helps effectively disperse the force of an impact and reduces the risk of damage to the particularly vulnerable corners. Such designs often incorporate flexible gaskets, spacers, or shock-absorbing elements that further dissipate energy and enhance the durability of the entire assembly.
AS (Anti-Shatter) Coating
Although displays in modern devices are designed to offer high resistance to damage, certain applications – particularly those located in public spaces – carry a significantly higher risk of substantial impacts, including acts of vandalism. In such cases, it is worth considering an additional protective layer: an AS (Anti-Shatter) coating. This layer holds broken glass fragments in place in the event of breakage, preventing them from scattering. Such a solution enhances user safety while also protecting the device’s internal components from further damage.
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The protective solutions discussed above enable the use of displays in devices subjected to heavy-duty operation, ensuring their reliability in demanding environments. Properly selected high-durability components help extend the device’s lifespan and minimize the risk of cracks, breakage, or permanent damage.
When IK Protection Matters
For devices intended for intensive use – especially in public spaces – ensuring an appropriate level of mechanical protection in line with the IK standard is a key design consideration. This is essential for maintaining both device functionality and user safety. Such protection is critical in the following sectors:
- retail – self-service checkouts, vending machines, information and advertising kiosks
- transportation – passenger information displays, self-check-in terminals, ticket machines, ticket validators, and onboard screens,
- industry – measurement equipment, HMI operator panels, devices used on production lines,
- healthcare – patient information systems, including registration terminals,
- automotive – EV charging stations.
It is worth noting that in certain sectors, such as railway transportation or automotive – there may be additional industry-specific standards that impose minimum requirements for mechanical resistance. For example, standards like EN 50155 (for railway rolling stock) or ISO 16750 (for electronics in automotive applications) often specify the required IK protection level for devices used in these environments.
Mechanical protection (IK) is only one aspect of a device’s durability. Equally important is its resistance to environmental factors such as dust and water – these are addressed by a separate classification marked with the letters IP, which defines the enclosure’s degree of ingress protection. If you want to learn how to interpret IP ratings, read our article:
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