Nowadays flexible and light weight functional multilayer films are widely used in application areas like printed electronics, automotive and construction. Such technical films can easily be laminated on a rigid surface or allow the design of flexible shapes, which would be difficult to realize with stiff materials.

The deposition of inorganic and organic layers on top of polymeric substrates provides a combination of functional properties such as barriers against oxygen and water vapor, electrical conductivity, anti-bacterial effect, anti-fogging or controlled optical transmission and UV absorption. Polymers applied as primer, intermediate or top coat layers in multilayer stacks either contribute to the functional properties of the film in synergy with the inorganic layers or they protect them against crack formation and abrasion. These polymeric layers are integrated into a multilayer stack by coating, lamination or printing processes.

Great progress has been achieved during the last years in understanding the effect of morphology and dimensional stability of the polymeric substrates on the quality of the deposited functional layers. The dimensional stability plays an important role especially during the large scale roll-to-roll coating processes. Systematic studies have also been performed on phenomena such as the adhesion between the different kinds of layers within a multilayer stack and the degradation of polymeric materials due to UV radiation and humidity. Further investments in research and development are still required for the enhancement of the outdoor stability of polymeric materials, by modification of their physical and chemical properties.

This Research Topic addresses the state-of-the-art and progress of research and development for polymers within multi-layer technical films. The applications cover but are not limited to barrier films for electronic devices and vacuum insulation panels and films for UV protection of building components or infrared reflection in low-emissivity glass. We sincerely welcome high quality original research and review papers addressing this topic.

Possible experimental and theoretical research themes include:

• Novel multilayer high barrier films for technical applications
• Production of multilayer films with various functionalities by means of coating, printing, or lamination processes and studies of the effect of mechanical and thermal stresses
• Effective drying processes of solvent-based organic lacquers
• Understanding the mechanisms of gas and water vapor permeation and light transmission through multilayer stacks
• Adhesion aspects in multilayer films, application of various types of adhesives, and delamination mechanisms
• Durability of polymers in multilayer structures, ageing studies, and degradation mechanisms under severe conditions, such as UV radiation and damp heat

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