iPod Scratching May Be Past With Apple's New Stainless Steel

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If you happen to have an iPod Touch, then you know that the back of it is prone to getting scratched up (at least mine sure did). But that’s a problem that may not plague future versions of Apple hardware if a patent Apple filed recently has any long term impact: a patent on a new type of scratch-resistant stainless steel.

The new type of stainless steel, that currently goes by the mouthful of a name that is “Nitriding Stainless Steel for Consumer Electronic Products” is set to do something rather simple: add a nitride layer to stainless steel. The nitride layer, in turn, will contribute to making what is described as “a durable, hard surface that is both scratch and impact resistant”. In addition, the steel will remain (or at least look like it remains) completely normal in texture and color.

Basically, what this means is that you won’t see a difference–assuming this patent ever goes from concept level to full use–in the steel being used, but it will be significantly improved. It’ll resist scratching, and be a lot more durable. Sure, the scratches don’t affect the operation of the devices in any way, but they really do look unpleasant. My current iPod Touch looks so heavily battered as to be inoperable, but in every way, it works and works well.

Apple has long been about aesthetics just as much as (maybe even a bit more than) function, so it’s not surprising that they’re putting a lot into making their current run of devices look better. But considering that they work as well as they do (I’m still a bit stunned that my iPod Touch not only plays music but also can serve as a mobile Internet device in a pinch or around Wi-Fi), it’s certainly not a problem that they make them look as nice as they work.