Technology Jun. 06, 2011 - 05:29AM JST ( 12 )

TOKYO —

Asahi Glass Co has developed ultra-thin sheet glass using the float process, measuring just 0.1 mm, roughly the thinness of a sheet of paper. Made from alkali-free glass, which is used as a glass substrate for TFT-LCDs, the thin sheet float glass will be used in next-generation displays, lighting, touchscreens and high-tech applications such as medical devices.

Asahi has extensive experience with the production of thin sheet glass. Over five years ago, the company began mass producing and shipping 0.4 mm, alkali-free glass as a TFT glass substrate. Later, the thickness was reduced to 0.3 mm. In April of this year, it began selling the world’s thinnest, 0.28mm, soda-lime glass substrate for touchscreens.

Recent shifts toward increasingly thin and energy saving displays and OLED lighting are now being taken to the next level with the development of next-generation flexible displays and OLED lighting. This is creating more demand for glass materials, including glass substrates and cover glass for touchscreen panels and glass substrates for displays.

Thin sheet glass is expected to be used in such products due to its flexible shaping and light weight, as well as basic characteristics of glass such as transparency, electrical insulation and resistance to heat, chemicals and gases.

Japan Corporate News Network