The cover plate material is the main reason affecting the mass production of foldable screens

Innovation and challenges in cover plate materials – unlocking the password for large-scale production of foldable screen smartphones. In the field of smartphones, foldable screen technology is undoubtedly a remarkable highlight. It not only provides users with a brand new user experience, but also redefines the form and function of mobile devices. However, despite the enormous potential of foldable screen smartphones, the current market penetration rate of such products is not as high as expected. One of the key reasons is how to find suitable cover materials to meet the durability and production efficiency requirements of foldable screen phones. This article will delve into this issue, analyze the importance of cover plate materials for the mass production of foldable screen smartphones, and the current research and development progress. The current situation and challenges of foldable screen technology. The core feature of foldable screen phones is that their flexible screens can be bent at multiple angles, providing a large-sized display effect similar to that of tablets, while also being able to easily fit into pockets like traditional phones. This design subverts the traditional rigid screen structure and brings many technical challenges, especially in protecting the screen from external pressure, scratches, and other damage. The key role of cover plate material is that the cover plate material is a protective layer directly covering the flexible display screen, and its performance directly affects the lifespan and user experience of foldable screen phones. The ideal cover material needs to have the following characteristics: wear resistance: able to withstand frequent touch and friction in daily use without easily producing scratches. Impact resistance: It can effectively protect the screen from damage even if it is accidentally hit or dropped. Flexibility: able to bend multiple times within a certain range without losing its protective ability. Transparency: Ensure good optical performance without compromising the clarity and color performance of the screen. Stability: It can maintain stable performance even in high temperature, low temperature, or humid environments. Economy: The cost should be reasonable so that it can be widely adopted in the mass production process. The limitations of existing cover plate materials. Currently, mainstream foldable devices on the market mainly use two types of cover plate materials: polyimide (PI) film and glass. Although both materials have their own advantages and disadvantages, they are difficult to fully meet all the above standards. Polyimide film: This is an organic polymer material with excellent flexibility and heat resistance. However, its performance in terms of wear resistance and impact resistance is relatively weak, and wrinkling marks may appear after repeated folding. In addition, due to its low transmittance and hardness, additional coatings are needed to enhance these properties. Ultra thin glass (UTG): Made from a very thin layer of glass, its hardness and strength are increased through chemical strengthening treatment. UTG is more scratch resistant and less prone to deformation than PI, but it may fracture when the bending radius is too small. In addition, the processing difficulty is relatively high, which may lead to a decrease in the yield rate. To address these issues, researchers are exploring new materials and technologies, such as developing new nanocomposites or improving existing glass manufacturing processes. Some potential research directions include: composite cover plate materials: combining the advantages of different materials, such as using a hard ceramic coating combined with a soft elastomer to achieve better overall performance. Self healing materials: These types of materials can repair themselves after damage, reducing the need for replacement parts. Intelligent coating technology: Utilizing advanced coating technology to enhance certain specific properties of materials, such as wear resistance and impact resistance. Graphene and other emerging materials: These new materials may have unique advantages in flexibility, conductivity, and mechanical strength. With the continuous advancement of technology, it is believed that in the coming years, there will be more suitable material choices for folding screen phone covers, which will help promote the large-scale production and market popularization of folding screen phones.