Hard Coating Composition for Flexible Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hard coatings for display devices, particularly those using reinforced glass, face challenges in achieving high hardness and scratch resistance while maintaining flexibility and impact resistance, and are unsuitable for flexible display applications due to curing shrinkage and limited flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A hard coating composition comprising a silazane compound, a thiol-based compound, a polyfunctional urethane (meth)acrylate with a cyclohexyl group, a photoinitiator, inorganic nanoparticles, and a solvent, which controls curing density and radical polymerization to achieve superior scratch resistance, hardness, and flexibility, suitable for flexible display devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If reinforced glass is used for display protection, then hardness and scratch resistance are improved, but weight increases and flexibility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the coating material by incorporating silazane compounds and controlling the ratio of polyfunctional components, achieving high hardness without requiring heavy glass materials. The specific parameter changes in molecular structure enable lightweight yet hard protective coating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite resin composition combining multiple components (silazane compound, polyfunctional urethane (meth)acrylate, inorganic nanoparticles, and other additives) to achieve properties that neither component alone could provide, creating a lightweight composite material with glass-like hardness.
2Strength
If reinforced glass is used for display protection, then scratch resistance is improved, but impact resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by incorporating silazane compounds and optimizing the ratio of polyfunctional components, achieving a balance between scratch resistance and impact resistance that traditional glass cannot provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible polymer matrix acts as an intermediary between the inorganic nanoparticles and the substrate, providing shock absorption and impact resistance while maintaining scratch resistance through the hardened coating structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If typical photocurable composite resin is used for hard coating, then flexibility is improved, but hardness and scratch resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite resin system combining flexible polymer components with hardening agents and inorganic nanoparticles, achieving both flexibility and high hardness simultaneously through synergistic material composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight, functional group ratio, and cross-linking density parameters of the polymer components to achieve the desired balance between flexibility and hardness in the cured coating.
4Adaptability or versatility
If typical photocurable composite resin is used for hard coating, then flexibility is improved, but curling occurs due to shrinkage upon curing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the shrinkage parameters by optimizing the monomer selection, functional group ratio, and cross-linking density, reducing curing shrinkage to minimal levels and preventing coating curling while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses coupling agents and surface treatment intermediaries to improve adhesion between the coating and substrate, compensating for shrinkage forces and preventing curling during and after curing.
5Adaptability or versatility
If typical photocurable composite resin is used for hard coating, then flexibility is improved, but sufficient flexibility for flexible display is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight distribution, chain flexibility parameters, and cross-linking density to achieve the specific flexibility requirements for flexible display applications, ensuring the coating can bend and flex without cracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite formulation combining flexible polymer chains with controlled cross-linking, creating a material that maintains sufficient flexibility for flexible displays while providing the necessary protective properties.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The hard coating composition provides enhanced scratch resistance, hardness, and flexibility, preventing curling and enabling application on flexible display devices without compromising mechanical properties.
Implementation Method 1
a hard coating composition comprising a silazane compound of Chemical Formula 1 or 2 below, a thiol-based compound, a polyfunctional urethane (meth)acrylate including a cyclohexyl group, a photoinitiator, inorganic nanoparticles, and a solvent
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a hard coating composition, which includes a silazane compound, a thiol-based compound, a polyfunctional urethane (meth)acrylate having a cyclohexyl group, a photoinitiator, inorganic nanoparticles, and a solvent, and which can also exhibit superior scratch resistance, hardness and flexibility.