Duration: 01.03.2021 – 28.02.2023

Research institutions:
Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP
Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS

Abstract:
Ultra-thin glasses (UTG) with thicknesses of less than 100 μm are lightweight, flexible and dimensionally stable, have a low
surface roughness and a high thermal and mechanical load capacity. Compared to organic flexible
materials, they have no permeability for water and oxygen. With the launch of foldable displays
UTG have recently entered mass production, but so far only in selected high-priced products.
To establish UTG as a flexible substrate material and alternative to polymer films, stable and reliable
production processes are developed. With these, mechanical failure of the UTG during the process so far leads to
to random, time-consuming and cost-intensive production downtimes. Therefore, in order to reduce the reject rate, in
This project project provides fundamental findings on the mechanical behaviour of UTG during the
functionalisation can be obtained. This is of particular relevance, as the mechanical properties are affected by
Separation, coating and handling/transport of the UTG change during the process. These project objectives are
the main focus
1. determination of the initial strength of the UTG, especially edge strengthe Kantenfestigkeit
2. investigation of the influence of selected coating and separation processes on the mechanical properties
of the UTG, especially on edge strength and fatigue behaviour
3. correlation and evaluation of the results for two applications: Transparent electrode and
Anti-reflective coating system
The strength parameters obtained can be used directly for the dimensioning and design of plants in the entire
value chain of UTG processing are used, especially by the SMEs involved in the PbA. Furthermore
Based on the knowledge gained about the mechanical behaviour of UTG, companies will be able to
to open up new fields of application for UTG and to develop innovative products in a short time.
AiF