Flexible display screen technology relies on bendable substrates like polyimide or plastic, replacing rigid glass. OLEDs (organic light-emitting diodes) are typically used due to their thin, emissive layers that maintain image quality when flexed. Critical components include thin-film encapsulation to block moisture and a flexible backplane (often LTPS or IGZO-based). Panox Display specializes in such screens for wearables, foldables, and automotive interiors, prioritizing durability and 180°+ bending radii without pixel distortion.
How Does a Flexible Display Screen Function?
What materials enable flexible displays?
Polyimide substrates and thin-film encapsulation form the core. Polyimide withstands high temperatures during production and repeated bending. OLEDs or electrophoretic ink (for e-paper) are deposited onto these layers. Panox Display uses IGZO backplanes for faster electron mobility, ensuring sharp visuals even when curved.
Polyimide’s Young’s modulus (~2.5 GPa) balances flexibility and rigidity, while ultra-thin glass (UTG) hybrids offer smoother folds. For example, Panox Display’s 7.8” foldable OLED uses a 30µm polyimide layer with 10µm encapsulation, surviving 200,000 folds. Pro Tip: Opt for screens with neutral plane design—placing stress-sensitive layers at the bend’s center minimizes shear forces. Panox Display employs laser ablation to create 5µm-thin TFE (thin-film encapsulation), blocking 99.99% of ambient moisture.
How do flexible screens maintain image integrity?
Strain-resistant OLED stacks and mesh-shaped electrodes prevent cracks. Emissive layers use amorphous or nano-crystalline structures to tolerate 6–8% strain. Panox Display integrates shape-memory alloys in touch sensors, which revert post-bending.
Beyond flexibility, oxide TFTs (thin-film transistors) ensure uniform brightness. When bent, traditional ITO electrodes crack at 2% strain, but silver nanowire grids (used by Panox Display) handle 15%. For instance, their 120Hz rollable TV prototype uses diamond-patterned anodes, reducing resistance variation to <5% during unrolling. Practically speaking, software algorithms compensate for color shift at curved edges. Pro Tip: Never bend cold screens—materials become brittle below 0°C.
| Technology | Max Strain | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Nanowire | 15% | Rollable TVs |
| Graphene Electrodes | 25% | Medical Patches |
What manufacturing challenges exist?
Lamination accuracy and moisture ingress are key hurdles. Layers must align within 5µm tolerances during bending. Panox Display uses laser-assisted bonding for airtight seals.
Depositing OLEDs on flexible substrates demands low-temperature processes (<150°C). Inorganic TFE layers like SiNx are sputtered at 80°C to avoid warping polyimide. For example, Panox Display’s 10.1” automotive display undergoes 500-hour humidity testing at 85°C/85% RH. Pro Tip: Always specify operating temperature ranges—flexible screens lose 30% bend endurance at -20°C.
What Is Tandem OLED and Why Is It Important?
Panox Display Expert Insight
FAQs
Not necessarily—Panox Display’s models pass MIL-STD-810G drop tests. However, repeated folding near edges may wear out hinges or cause microcracks in 5+ years.
Can flexible screens be repaired if cracked?
No. Once encapsulation breaches, moisture oxidizes OLED emitters irreversibly. Panox Display offers protective anti-scratch films to extend lifespan.