Abstract
In flexible barrier materials, the required barrier properties are obtained via combinations of polymeric and inorganic layers. In standard configurations like common laminates, the barrier effect is achieved by the combined action of the inorganic layer together with the substrate and an additional polymeric top layer. The inorganic layer alone would provide no barrier at all. For higher barrier requirements more complex systems are required, consisting of a sequence of polymeric layers (organic or inorganic-organic hybrid materials) and inorganic barrier layers. The resultant functionality is determined by the bulk permeability properties of the polymeric layers and their thickness and by the microscopic and macroscopic properties of the inorganic layers. In this paper, the defect structures of the inorganic layers - As assessed via different analytical methods - Are used as a basis for numerical simulations. A defect dominated permeation mechanism was assumed for all the simulations. The complexity of the layer structures is increased stepwise, from the known configurations of one inorganic layer on top of a substrate and one inorganic layer embedded between two different polymers up to a description of one polymeric layer of varying thickness between two inorganic layers and its extension to repeated sequences of this structure. The results demonstrate the importance of the inherent barrier properties of the polymeric interlayers as a scaling factor for the performance of multi-layer stacks.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 592-599 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Proceedings, Annual Technical Conference - Society of Vacuum Coaters |
State | Published - 2003 |
Externally published | Yes |
Event | 46th Annual Technical Conference Proceedings - San Francisco, CA, United States Duration: 3 May 2003 → 8 May 2003 |
Keywords
- Permeation barrier coatings
- Pinholes/porosity
- Polymer base coats
- Polymer substrates