Method For Manufacturing Retardation Film By Using Dual-Axial Stretching Process And A Retardation Film
20180024284 ยท 2018-01-25
Assignee
Inventors
- Peng-Yi Huang (Taoyuan County, TW)
- Shi-Liang Chen (Taoyuan County, TW)
- Cheng Lun Liao (Taoyuan County, TW)
Cpc classification
B29K2033/12
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B29L2031/3475
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
A method for manufacturing a retardation film by using a dual-axial stretching process uses a PMMA to produce a cast film. The cast film is stretched in both a proceeding direction and a width direction simultaneously by 1.05.0 times in both the length and the width. By using a predetermined annealing temperature to co-coordinate shrinking of the film in both directions simultaneously, decrease of the refraction ability caused by the stretching can be controlled. To attain high uniformity of the optical characteristics of the film, the surface temperature of the film during the stretching process is controlled within a predetermined range, then the optical variation thereof is improved, and thus the following optical characteristics are achieved: R0: 03 nm and Rth: 400 nm; wherein R0=*Te+*Xe+*Ts+*Xs+C1 and Rth=a*Te+b*Xe+c*Ts+d*Xs+C2.
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing a retardation film by using a dual-axial stretching process, comprising the steps of: Step (A): providing a cast film; Step (B): in a preheating process, at a predetermined preheating temperature, preheating the cast film; Step (C): in a stretching process, at a predetermined stretching temperature, performing simultaneously dual-axial stretching upon the cast film; wherein, in this stretching process, the cast film is stretched by a vertical stretching magnification factor (MD) and a horizontal stretching magnification factor (TD), and both the MD and the TD are within 1.05.0 times; Step (D): in an annealing process, at a predetermined annealing temperature, annealing the cast film so as to shrink the cast film simultaneously in both a vertical direction and a horizontal direction; and Step (E): in a cooling process, at a predetermined cooling temperature, cooling the cast film, and then outputting an output retardation film.
2. The method for manufacturing a retardation film of claim 1, wherein: the predetermined preheating temperature is within 100200 C., and, while in preheating, a preheating wind speed is within 522 m/s; the predetermined stretching temperature is within 120200 C., and, while in stretching, a stretching wind speed is within 516 m/s so as to control a temperature of the cast film in the stretching process to be within 120170 C.; the predetermined annealing temperature is within 80200 C., and, while in annealing, a annealing wind speed is within 522 m/s; the predetermined cooling temperature is within 25120 C., and, while in cooling, a cooling wind speed is within 516 m/s; and, in the annealing process, a shrinkage ratio for both the MD and the TD of the cast film is within 018%.
3. The method for manufacturing a retardation film of claim 1, wherein the predetermined stretching temperature (Text), the MD, the TD and the predetermined annealing temperature (Tshrink) fulfill mathematical criteria as follows:
R0=*Te+*Xe+*Ts+*Xs+C1; wherein: R0 is an in-plane retardation value of the output retardation film and is within 03 nm; Te is a temperature difference value in the stretching process, and Te=TextTg; Xe is a stretching magnification factor difference value in the stretching process, and Xe=MDTD; Ts is a temperature difference value in the annealing process, and Ts=TshrinkTg; Xs is a shrinkage ratio value of the cast film in the annealing process, and Xs=[(1MDshrink)*(1TDshrink)1], wherein the MDshrink is a shrinkage ration of the cast film in the vertical direction in the annealing process, wherein the TDshrink is a shrinkage ration of the cast film in the horizontal direction in the annealing process; and , , , and C1 are all machine parameters, and Tg is a material parameter.
4. The method for manufacturing a retardation film of claim 3, wherein =0.0879, =6.24, =0.011, =12.8, Tg=118 and C1=2.19.
5. The method for manufacturing a retardation film of claim 1, wherein the predetermined stretching temperature (Text), the MD, the TD, and the predetermined annealing temperature (Tshrink) fulfill mathematical criteria as follows:
Rth=a*Te+b*Xe+c*Ts+d*Xs+C2; wherein: Rth is an in-depth retardation value of the output retardation film and is within 400 nm; Te is a temperature difference value in the stretching process, and Te=TextTg; Xe is a stretching magnification factor difference value in the stretching process, and Xe=MDTD; Ts is a temperature difference value in the annealing process, and Ts=TshrinkTg; Xs is a shrinkage ratio value of the cast film in the annealing process, and Xs=[(1MDshrink)*(1TDshrink)1], wherein the MDshrink is a shrinkage ration of the cast film in the vertical direction in the annealing process, wherein the TDshrink is a shrinkage ration of the cast film in the horizontal direction in the annealing process; and a, b, c, d and C2 are all machine parameters, and Tg is a material parameter.
6. The method for manufacturing a retardation film of claim 5, wherein a=0.958, b=2.5, c=0.321, d=12.1, Tg=118 and C2=39.4.
7. The method for manufacturing a retardation film of claim 2, wherein: the predetermined preheating temperature is within 145155 C.; the predetermined stretching temperature is within 130150 C.; the predetermined annealing temperature is within 120150 C.; and the predetermined cooling temperature is within 25100 C.
8. The method for manufacturing a retardation film of claim 1, wherein the cast film is made of a PMMA having a thickness within 2501200 m and a width within 500980 m.
9. The method for manufacturing a retardation film of claim 1, wherein an in-plane retardation value R0 of the output retardation film is within 03 nm, an in-depth retardation value Rth of the output retardation film is within 400 nm, a refractive index Nx of the cast film in an in-plane slow axis direction is within 1.4999001.499995, a refractive index Ny of the cast film in an in-plane fast axis direction is within 1.4999001.499955, a refractive index Nz of the cast film in a thickness direction is within 1.5000011.500045, and a thickness of the output retardation film is within 38250 m.
10. A retardation film manufactured by the method of claim 1, wherein an in-plane retardation value R0 of the output retardation film is within 03 nm, an in-depth retardation value Rth of the output retardation film is within 400 nm, a refractive index Nx of the cast film in an in-plane slow axis direction is within 1.4999001.499995, a refractive index Ny of the cast film in an in-plane fast axis direction is within 1.4999001.499955, a refractive index Nz of the cast film in a thickness direction is within 1.5000011.500045, and a thickness of the output retardation film is within 38250 m.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The present invention will now be specified with reference to its preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, in which:
[0024]
[0025]
[0026]
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] The invention disclosed herein is directed to a method for manufacturing a retardation film by using a dual-axial stretching process and a retardation film. In the following description, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that variations of these specific details are possible while still achieving the results of the present invention. In other instance, well-known ingredients are not described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0028] Refer now to
[0029] Step 31: Provide a cast film. Referring to
[0030] Step 32: Perform preheating. In a preheating process, at a predetermined preheating temperature, the cast film is preheated. In this embodiment, the predetermined preheating temperature is ranged between 100 C. and 200 C., a preheating wind speed for the preheating process is ranged between 5 m/s and 22 m/s. Namely, in this preheating process, a 100 C.200 C. hot wind with a 5 m/s22 m/s preheating wind speed is provided to the cast film. Preferably, the predetermined preheating temperature is ranged between 145 C. and 155 C.
[0031] Step 33: Stretch dual-axially and simultaneously. In a stretching process, at a predetermined stretching temperature, simultaneous dual-axial stretching is applied to the cast film. In the stretching process, the cast film is stretched to have both a vertical stretching magnification factor (MD) and a horizontal stretching magnification factor (TD) to be ranged from 1.0 to 5.0 times. In this embodiment, the predetermined stretching temperature is ranged between 120 C. and 200 C., and a stretching wind speed is ranged between 5 m/s and 16 m/s. Namely, in this stretching process, a 120 C.200 C. hot wind with a 5 m/s16 m/s heating wind speed is provided to the cast film, such that a film temperature of the cast film (i.e. the temperature of the cast film itself) during the stretching process can be controlled within 120170 C. Preferably, the predetermined stretching temperature is ranged between 130 C. and 150 C.
[0032] Step 34: Perform annealing. In an annealing process, at a predetermined annealing temperature, the cast film is annealed so as to shrink the cast film simultaneously both in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the predetermined annealing temperature is ranged between 80 C. and 200 C., and an annealing wind speed is ranged between 5 m/s and 22 m/s. Namely, in this annealing process, a 80 C.200 C. hot wind with a 5 m/s22 m/s annealing wind speed is provided to the cast film. Also, in the annealing process, a shrinkage ratio of the cast film in either the vertical direction (i.e. the MD direction) or the horizontal direction (i.e. the TD direction) is ranged between 0% and 18%. Preferably, the predetermined annealing temperature is ranged between 120 C. and 150 C.
[0033] Step 35: Perform cooling. In a cooling process, at a predetermined cooling temperature, the cast film is cooled down, and then an output retardation film is outputted (Step 36). In this embodiment, the predetermined cooling temperature is ranged between 25 C. and 120 C., and a cooling wind speed is ranged between 5 m/s and 16 m/s. Namely, in this cooling process, a 25 C.120 C. hot wind with a 5 m/s16 m/s cooling wind speed is provided to the cast film. Preferably, the predetermined cooling temperature is ranged between 25 C. and 100 C.
[0034] In the present invention, through the aforesaid specific temperature and wind speed ranges for performing the preheating, the dual-axial stretching, the annealing and the cooling, the output retardation film would have an in-plane retardation value R0 within 03 nm and an in-depth retardation value Rth within 400 nm. A refractive index Nx of the cast film in an in-plane slow axis direction is within 1.4999001.499995, a refractive index Ny of the cast film in an in-plane fast axis direction is within 1.4999001.499955, a refractive index Nz of the cast film in a thickness direction is within 1.5000011.500045, and a thickness of the output retardation film is within 38 m250 m. Also, the output retardation film is featured in substantial high wider optical uniformity. Such an optical characteristic for the retardation film can meet client's need to some extent for the LCD or OLED display panels. More importantly, by using the aforesaid method, a copolymerizing process is no more needed, and thus the manufacturing of the retardation film is comparatively less complicated and less expensive.
[0035] In the preferred embodiment of the method for manufacturing a retardation film by using a dual-axial stretching process in accordance with the present invention, except for the aforesaid specific limitations of temperatures and wind speeds in the preheating, the dual-axial stretching, the annealing and the cooling, the predetermined stretching temperature (Text), the MD value, the TD value and the predetermined annealing temperature (Tshrink) shall fulfill the following mathematical criteria.
R0=*Te+*Xe+*Ts+*Xs+C1;
[0036] wherein,
[0037] R0 is the in-plane retardation value of the output retardation film, and R0 is within 03 nm;
[0038] Te is the temperature difference value in the stretching process, and Te=TextTg;
[0039] Xe is the stretching magnification factor difference value in the stretching process, and Xe=MDTD;
[0040] Ts is the temperature difference value in the annealing process, and Ts=TshrinkTg;
[0041] Xs is the shrinkage ratio value of the cast film in the annealing process; and,
[0042] Xs=[(1MDshrink)*(1TDshrink)1], in which the MDshrink is the shrinkage ratio of the cast film in the vertical direction in the annealing process, and TDshrink is the shrinkage ratio of the cast film in the horizontal direction in the annealing process.
[0043] Also, , , , and C1 are all machine parameters, Tg is the material parameter. Based on different processing machines or different raw materials, the corresponding parameter values would be different. In this embodiment, =0.0879, =6.24, =0.011, =12.8, Tg=118 and C1=2.19.
[0044] Preferably, the predetermined stretching temperature (Text), the MD value, the TD value, and the predetermined annealing temperature (Tshrink) shall fulfill further the following mathematical criteria.
Rth=a*Te+b*Xe+c*Ts+d*Xs+C2;
[0045] wherein,
[0046] Rth is the in-depth retardation value of the output retardation film, and Rth value is within 400 nm;
[0047] Te is the temperature difference value in the stretching process, and Te=TextTg;
[0048] Xe is the difference value of the stretching magnification factor in the stretching process, and Xe=MDTD;
[0049] Ts is the temperature difference value in the annealing process, and Ts=TshrinkTg;
[0050] Xs is the shrinkage ratio value of the cast film in the annealing process; and,
[0051] Xs=[(1MDshrink)*(1TDshrink)1], in which the MDshrink is the shrinkage ratio of the cast film in the vertical direction in the annealing process, and TDshrink is the shrinkage ratio of the cast film in the horizontal direction in the annealing process.
[0052] Also, a, b, c, d and C2 are all machine parameters, Tg is the material parameter. Based on different processing machines or different raw materials, the corresponding parameter values would be different. In this embodiment, a=0.958, b=2.5, c=0.321, d=12.1, Tg=118 and C2=39.4.
[0053] As shown in
[0054] As shown in
[0055] As follows, based on the aforesaid method for manufacturing the retardation film by using the dual-axial stretching process of the present invention, various exemplary embodiments with different testing conditions are provided to verify the aforesaid manufacturing parameters and the mathematical criteria. It would be confirmed from the testing results that the method for manufacturing the retardation film by using the dual-axial stretching process of the present invention can produce a satisfied retardation film for the LCD or OLED display panel that meets the demanded optical characteristics, and no synthesis of copolymers is required.
[0056] Firstly, for being applied to the method of
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Proportions of ingredients of the raw resin material for producing the cast film Main layer structure (main) Surface layer structure (co) Raw material main1 % main2 % Temperature co1 % co2 % Temperature Embodiments T11 95 AS04-5 5 270 T11 75 MB30-1 25 270 1~5
[0057] Then, according to Table 2, by varying the rotational speed of the take-off roller for different embodiments 15 (i.e. changing the speed difference between the chill roller and the take-off roller), testing results of the optical axis value and the average retardation value of the cast film are shown in the following Table 2. It is found, from Table 2, that optical characteristics of Embodiments 14 are satisfied, but only the R0 value of Embodiment 5 is less satisfied. It is thus concluded that, by controlling the difference of the rotational speeds of the chill roller and the take-off roller to be within 1 m/min with the rotational speed of the take-off roller within 46 m/min, the optical axis and the retardation value are not affected, and the optical characteristics of the cast film can be effectively controlled.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Optical characteristics with respect to rotational speeds of the chill roller and the take-off roller Speed Speed of Averaged Cast film of chill take-off retardation testing roller roller Width Thickness Optical axis value conditions m/min m/min mm m Nx Ny Nz R0 Rth Embodiment 1 5 6 967 537 1.499978 1.499977 1.500045 0.437 36.83 Embodiment 2 5 4 967 537 1.499978 1.499977 1.500045 0.421 36.4 Embodiment 3 5 4.5 967 522 1.499978 1.499977 1.500045 0.4 36.13 Embodiment 4 5 5 966 535 1.499978 1.499977 1.500044 0.402 35.07 Embodiment 5 5 6.5 966 535 1.499943 1.499962 1.500095 1.335 38.07
[0058] Then, by having the cast film of Embodiment 4 in Table 2 as a basic example, in the process of manufacture the retardation film by the dual-axial stretching process, by varying and controlling the stretching temperature (ST), the proceeding-directional magnification factor MD, the width-directional magnification factor TD, the anneal temperature (AT), the stretching wind speed (SWS), the annealing wind speed (AWS), the proceeding-directional shrinking percentage (PDSP) and the width-directional shrinking percentage (WDSP) so as to obtain different Embodiments 615 from Embodiment 4 of Table 2, the testing results of the retardation values (R0 and Rth) of the output retardation films of Embodiments 615 (Em 615)are listed in the following Table 3.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Effect of parameter conditions upon the retardation values of the output retardation films in the simultaneous dual-axial stretching process (Gross table) Retardation values ST MD TD SWP AT PDSP WDSP AWS Thickness R0 Rth Number Unit C. % % m/s C. % % m/s m nm nm Em 6 132 350 320 15 140 9 9 20 81 1.52 20.26 Em 7 132 320 300 15 150 4.5 6 20 80 1.37 16.45 Em 8 132 270 250 15 130 6 6 20 82 1.21 22.93 Em 9 143 260 250 15 130 6 6 20 79 0.99 14.76 Em 10 147 260 250 15 130 6 6 20 81 0.64 8.92 Em 11 138 260 250 15 120 6 6 20 78 1.32 20.75 Em 12 143 260 250 15 120 6 6 20 80 0.88 15.96 Em 13 147 260 250 15 120 6 6 20 79 0.53 12.13 Em 14 147 260 250 15 125 18 6 20 79 2.03 11.89 Em 15 147 270 230 15 125 16 13 20 78 0.67 11.62
[0059] Since parameter conditions of Table 3 include changes in the stretching temperature ST, the proceeding-directional magnification factor MD, the width-directional magnification factor TD, the stretching temperature ST, the anneal temperature AT, the proceeding-directional shrinking percentage PDSP, and the width-directional shrinking percentage WDSP, the effect of the individual parameter condition upon the retardation values of the output retardation film is not so easy to observe. Alternatively, it could be easier to observe the effect of the individual parameter condition upon the retardation values of the output retardation film by adopting some specific parameters, namely observing a simplified table from these adopted parameters. For example, if the columns for the adopted parameters include only the number, the stretching temperature, the stretching wind speed, the thickness and the retardation values, then the results are shown in Table 4. It is easy to find, from Table 4, that contributions of the retardation values R0 and Rth of the output retardation film can fulfill the following mathematical expressions:
R0=Tstretching temperature, and
Rth=aTstretching temperature.
[0060] Namely, R0=(Stretching temperatureTg), in which Tg=118 and =0.0879. Also, Rth=a(Stretching temperatureTg), in which Tg=118 and a=0.958. In the present invention, the Tg value (material parameter) of the machine parameters is a variable dependent upon the raw material of the cast film, not upon the processing machine. For example, in the case of the code-T11 PMMA, the Tg value (material parameter) of the machine parameters is a constant, i.e. 118 as listed above.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Contribution of the stretching temperature upon the retardation values of the output retardation film in the simultaneous dual-axial stretching process Stretching Retardation Stretching wind (Contribution temperature speed value) (ST) (SWS) Thickness R0 Rth Unit Number C. m/s m nm nm Em 6 132 15 81 1.23 13.412 Em 7 132 15 80 1.23 13.412 Em 8 132 15 82 1.23 13.412 Em 9 143 15 79 2.2 23.95 Em 10 147 15 81 2.55 27.782 Em 11 138 15 78 1.76 19.16 Em 12 143 15 80 2.2 23.95 Em 13 147 15 79 2.55 27.782 Em 14 147 15 79 2.55 27.782 Em 15 147 15 78 2.55 27.782
[0061] In addition, it only the number, the proceeding-directional magnification factor, the width-directional magnification factor, the thickness and the retardation are adopted, the results are listed as Table 5. It is easily found, from Table 5, that contributions of the retardation values R0 and Rth of the output retardation film fulfill the following mathematical expressions, respectively.
R0=Xstretching magnification factor, and Rth=bXstretching magnification factor.
Namely, R0=(MDmagnification factorTDmagnification factor), where =6.24. Rth=+b(MDmagnification factorTDmagnification factor))1], where b=2.5.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Contributions of the stretching magnification factor upon the retardation values of the output retardation film in the simultaneous dual-axial stretching process Proceeding- directional Width- Retardation magnification directional (contribution factor magnification values) (MD) factor (TD) Thickness R0 Rth Unit Number % % m nm nm Em 6 3.5 3.2 81 1.87 0.75 Em 7 3.2 3 80 1.25 0.5 Em 8 2.7 2.5 82 1.25 0.5 Em 9 2.6 2.5 79 0.62 0.25 Em 10 2.6 2.5 81 0.62 0.25 Em 11 2.6 2.5 78 0.62 0.25 Em 12 2.6 2.5 80 0.62 0.25 Em 13 2.6 2.5 79 0.62 0.25 Em 14 2.6 2.5 79 0.62 0.25 Em 15 2.7 2.3 78 2.5 1
[0062] Further, if only the number, the annealing temperature, the annealing wind speed, the thickness and the retardation are adopted, the results are listed as Table 6. It is easily found, from Table 6, that contributions of the retardation values R0 and Rth of the output retardation film fulfill the following mathematical expressions, respectively.
R0=Tannealing temperature, and Rth=cTannealing temperature.
Namely, R0=(Annealing temperatureTg), where =0.011. Rth=c(Anneal temperatureTg), where c=0.321.
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Contributions of the annealing temperature upon the retardation values of the output retardation film in the simultaneous dual-axial stretching process Retardation Annealing Annealing (contribution temperature wind speed values) (AT) (AWS) Thickness R0 Rth Unit Number C. m/s m nm nm Em 6 140 20 81 0.242 7.062 Em 7 150 20 80 0.352 10.272 Em 8 130 20 82 0.132 3.852 Em 9 130 20 79 0.132 3.852 Em 10 130 20 81 0.132 3.852 Em 11 120 20 78 0.022 0.642 Em 12 120 20 80 0.022 0.642 Em 13 120 20 79 0.022 0.642 Em 14 125 20 79 0.077 2.247 Em 15 125 20 78 0.077 2.247
[0063] Furthermore, if only the number, the proceeding-directional shrinking percentage, the width-directional shrinking percentage, the thickness and the retardation are adopted, the results are listed as Table 7. It is easily found, from Table 7, that contributions of the retardation values R0 and Rth of the output retardation film fulfill the following mathematical expressions, respectively.
R0= Xshrinking percentage, and Rth=dXshrinking percentage.
Namely, R0= [(1MDshrinking percentage)*(1TDshrinking percentage)1], where =12.8. Rth=d [(1MDshrinking percentage)*(1TDshrinking percentage)1], where d=12.1.
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Contributions of the shrinking percentage upon the retardation values of the output retardation film in the simultaneous dual-axial stretching process Proceeding- Width- directional directional Retardation shrinking shrinking (contribution percentage percentage values) (PDSP) (WDSP) Thickness R0 Rth Unit Number % % m nm nm Em 6 9% 9% 81 2.2 2.08 Em 7 4.50% 6% 80 1.309 1.2378 Em 8 5% 6% 82 1.37 1.2947 Em 9 6% 6% 79 1.49 1.4084 Em 10 6% 6% 81 1.49 1.4084 Em 11 6% 6% 78 1.49 1.4084 Em 12 6% 6% 80 1.49 1.4084 Em 13 6% 6% 79 1.49 1.4084 Em 14 18% 6% 79 2.934 2.7733 Em 15 16% 13% 78 3.446 3.2573
[0064] Accordingly, after each verification of the foregoing mathematical criteria by the results listed from Table 4 through Table 7, two aforesaid mathematical criteria of the present invention can be then obtained. In particular, by plugging data of Table 3, these two mathematical criteria of the present invention, as follows, are still fulfilled.
R0=*Te+*Xe+*Ts+*Xs+C1, and
Rth=a*Te+b*Xe+c*Ts+d*Xs+C2.
[0065] Since these two mathematical criteria have been fully disclosed above, thus details thereabout are omitted herein. If the method of the present invention is applied to other machine, different embodiments having different given parameter conditions (i.e. via controlling and varying the stretching temperature, the proceeding-directional magnification factor MD, the width-directional magnification factor TD, the annealing temperature, the proceeding-directional shrinking percentage, the width-directional shrinking percentage and so on) can be provided in a manner similar to the aforesaid Table 3. Then, retardation values R0 and Rth of the output retardation films produced from the respective embodiments are measured to generate the parameters to be plugged into these two mathematical criteria. Thereupon, machine parameters such as , , , , C1, a, b, c, d and C2 can be calculated. Thereafter, according to these two mathematical criteria and the calculated machine parameters, optimal stretching temperature, proceeding-directional magnification factor MD, width-directional magnification factor TD, annealing temperature, proceeding-directional shrinking percentage, width-directional shrinking percentage and the other parameter can then be achieved so as to meet the industrial requirements upon specific optical characteristics of the retardation film. Therefore, according to steps shown in
[0066] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.