FLEXIBLE SCRATCH RESISTANCE FILM FOR DISPLAY DEVICES
A method for the manufacture of a transparent, scratch resistant film, comprising: (1) cleaning a surface of a flexible substrate; (2) altering the surface energy of the surface of the flexible substrate; (3) coating the surface of the flexible substrate with a transparent, scratch resistant coating comprising functionalized group monomers and a solvent; (4) wetting the transparent, scratch resistant coating; and (5) forming a cross-linked polymer structure by curing the transparent, scratch resistant coating.
1 . A flexible, scratch resistant film, comprising:
a flexible substrate; and
a transparent, scratch resistant coating adhered to the flexible substrate;
wherein the transparent, scratch resistant coating comprises a cross-linked polymer structure formed from functionalized monomers.
2 . The film of claim 1 wherein a pencil hardness of the film is at least 6 H.
3 . The film of claim 1 wherein the transparent, scratch resistant coating has a cross-link density of at least 50%.
4 . The film of claim 1 wherein the transparent, scratch resistant coating comprises mono and multi-functional acrylic monomers and acrylic oligomers.
5 . The film of claim 1 wherein the flexible substrate comprises at least one of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, cellulosic polymer, and glass.
6 . A method for the manufacture of a transparent, scratch resistant film, comprising:
cleaning a surface of a flexible substrate;
altering the surface energy of the surface of the flexible substrate;
coating the surface of the flexible substrate with a transparent, scratch resistant coating comprising functionalized group monomers and a solvent;
wetting the transparent, scratch resistant coating; and
forming a cross-linked polymer structure by curing the transparent, scratch resistant coating.
7 . The method of claim 6 wherein cleaning the surface of the flexible substrate and altering the surface energy of the surface of the flexible substrate comprises applying a stream of high frequency electrons to the surface of the flexible substrate.
8 . The method of claim 7 wherein the intensity level of the stream of high frequency electrons ranges from 1 to 50 W/min/m 2 .
9 . The method of claim 6 wherein the altered surface energy of the flexible substrate ranges from 20 to 95 Dynes/cm.
10 . The method of claim 6 wherein the transparent, scratch resistant coating has a thickness ranging from 3 to 30 microns.
11 . The method of claim 6 wherein coating the surface of the flexible substrate with the transparent, scratch resistant coating comprises using at least one of a slot-die, Gravure, Meier Rod, and spray coating technique.
12 . The method of claim 6 wherein curing the transparent scratch resistant coating comprises applying a UV light having a wavelength from 280 to 480 nm.
13 . The method of claim 6 wherein curing the transparent, scratch resistant coating comprises applying heat radiation to the transparent, scratch resistant coating.
14 . The method of claim 13 wherein the transparent, scratch resistant coating is subjected to three temperature zones that range from 70° C., 120° C., and 200° C. respectively.
15 . The method of claim 6 wherein curing the transparent, scratch resistant coating comprises applying ionizing radiation to the transparent, scratch resistant coating.
16 . The method of claim 15 wherein applying ionizing radiation further comprises using an electronic beam to the transparent, scratch resistant coating.
17 . The method of claim 16 wherein applying the electron beam comprises applying doses of electrons ranging from 0.5 to 5 MRads over a time period ranging from 0.01 to 5 seconds.
18 . The method of claim 6 wherein the transparent, scratch resistant coating further comprises either a photo-initiator or a thermo-initiator.
19 . The method of claim 6 wherein curing the transparent, scratch resistant coating is conducted in an environment of inert gas.
20 . The method of claim 6 wherein curing the protective coating solution is conducted in an environment nearly free of oxygen.
21 . A flexible, scratch resistant film made according to the method of claim 6 .
22 . The flexible, scratch resistant film of claim 21 wherein the transparent, scratch resistant coating has a cross link density of at least 50%.
23 . A flexible, scratch resistant film, comprising:
a flexible substrate;
a transparent, scratch resistant coating adhered to the flexible substrate;
wherein the transparent, scratch resistant coating comprises a cross-linked polymer structure formed from functionalized monomers;
wherein a pencil hardness of the flexible, scratch resistant film is at least 6 H; and
wherein the transparent, scratch resistant coating has a cross-link density of at least 50%.