Extrusion International 2-2017

28 Extrusion International 2/2017 IN FOKUS: Smart Extrusion for Packaging Functional films and efficient coating processes The Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP and the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB has been presented new developments in films and the efficient control of coating processes at the upcoming International Converting Exhibition Europe ICE was held in Munich from 21 - 23 March 2017. Under the motto “Functional films – efficient coating processes”, emphasis has been put on newfilm functionalities and accelerated test methods. Control andmonitoring of coating processes inline - for the first time The development of a cost-effective, optical measuring sys- tem means that coating processes will in the future be able to be fully controlled and monitored over the entire sub- strate surface. The inaugural presentationof this newsystem developed by the Fraunhofer IAP and the Fraunhofer IVV would take place at ICE Europe 2017. The degree of cross- linking and thickness of organic coatings can be controlled inline via automated couplingof themeasurement systemto the coating unit. This prevents issues such as delamination, poor processing of web-shaped materials, and increased mi- gration of non-crosslinked adhesive components. Accelerated test methods for high-barrier films High-barrier laminates manufactured in roll-to-roll pro- cesses for the encapsulation of flexible solar cells and electronic components must have as low as possible oxygen and water vapor permeabilities. For quality as- surance, it is a challenge to measure the permeability of such films over long periods of time. The tests can take several months. Now, however, the Fraunhofer IVV has developed a device for measuring the permeability of ul- tra barrier films in combination with associated computer software for simulating the permeation process. This en- ables the water vapor permeability to be determined 3 to 4 times faster than with conventional methods. Further improvement of high barrier technology using atomic layer deposition The Fraunhofer IVV has acquired a new coating plant which utilizes atomic layer deposition to further reduce the permeability of films. Minimizing the permeability to water vapor and oxygen is the key to successful further improvement of high barrier films. Atomic layer deposi- tion (ALD) is paving the way here. Coating via roll-to-roll processes allows high processing speeds and produc- tion efficiency to be achieved. Up until now, films with the highest barriers have been produced exclusively in vacuum processes. The new ALD plant at the Fraunhofer IVV enables the barrier properties of films to be signifi- cantly improved. This is a further step towards meeting the permeability requirements for OLED encapsulation in the medium term. The Fraunhofer IVV is using this tech- nology for publicly funded R&D projects and to provide industry with customized solutions and research services for the development of processes and materials. Anti-icing films reduce damage caused by ice The formation of ice on the rotor blades of wind turbines results in aerodynamic imbalance. In order to prevent damage, either the rotor blades must be heated or the wind turbine must be shut down. To tackle this issue, the Fraunhofer IGB has developed a number of anti-icing Optical system for inline monitoring of the film thickness and degree of crosslinking of organic coatings (© Photo Fraunhofer IVV)