One of the problems with today’s folding devices is the crease that forms in the center of the flexible fabric, which also affects long-term durability.
Hopefully, this nuisance will be a thing of the past in a few years as LG got develop a new protective material that greatly increases the durability of the display and also maintains its structure without showing visible folds.
The new material is called “Real folding window” and was developed by LG Chem to apply it to screens.
Compared to Samsung’s solution, this new material is more durable and resistant than glass, but it also allows for greater flexibility, similar to plastic, thus maintaining its integrity for over 200,000 folds or approximately 5 years of use.
Based on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film a few tens of micrometers thick, the protective cover has a special coating on both sides that improves its heat resistance and mechanical properties, making it ideal for folding screens in and out.
LG claims it is also developing aA Real Folding Window solution designed specifically for smartphone folding screens and roll-up screens, which is even thinner because it doesn’t integrate PET films.
Mass production of the new mesh layer is expected to start in 2022, while the first products to integrate it are expected to be available in 2023.
This solution will not be limited to LG’s handset portfolio, which no longer makes smartphones, but the company will license the Real Folding Window solution to other manufacturers.
