Flexible OLED Packaging Substrate with Metal Foil Barrier

The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a polymer substrate combined with an inorganic barrier layer. The polymer provides flexibility and lightness while the inorganic layer (such as aluminum oxide or silicon oxide) provides low oxygen and moisture permeability. This composite material approach resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties to achieve both flexibility and protection against environmental degradation.

The patent segments the protective function into a dedicated inorganic barrier layer that is separately formed on the polymer substrate. This allows the barrier function to be added as a distinct layer rather than modifying the polymer itself, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining effective protection against oxygen and moisture permeation.

The patent applies the inorganic barrier layer locally on the polymer substrate, creating a layered structure where each material performs its optimal function. The polymer substrate maintains flexibility and ductility while the inorganic layer provides barrier protection. This local quality approach allows the system to exhibit both flexibility and barrier performance by having different regions perform different functions.