The New Polymer Incorporated Additives And Laser Marking For Faster And Efficient Marking Of Advanced Plastics
The new “smart additives” are incorporated within the polymers and unfold a new era in the realm of marking of advanced plastics. The new technology is cost effective and is also facilitating and enabling the process. The new polymer processing additives are approved by FDA and provide much-improved marking contrast, clear and precise details of line edges, and work on plastics in a very fast and speedy manner. While plastics were always difficult for laser marking, the new polymer contained smart additives facilitate the process and make it both cost and time saving, apart from removing all the hurdles. These new additive formulations can be used for the Vanadate, YAG and fiber lasers that operate near the infrared spectrum (1060 nm-1070 nm). These new additives can use both secondary as well as the “on-the-fly” operations and can produce light colored, jet black and even the custom color contrasts. The new laser marking technique now replaces pad-printing and rotary-gravure techniques. The technological advancement provides for ink-less marking through the lasers and the affordable Ytterbium Fibre Laser can be used for marking the advanced plastic.
Applicable towards a range of advanced plastic products
A wide range of advanced plastics and plastic products can now be marked by using the latest laser marking technique and chemical additives, and the additives can be provided by a leading chemical company in India. The marking is effective for products and materials comprising of:
●Nylons
●Polycarbonate
● PPT of Polyethylene Terephthalate
●TPEs or Thermoplastic Elastomers
●Styrenics
● PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride
●Polyolefins
● TPEs or Thermoplastic Polyurethane
The new additives and laser marking technique are approved by EFSA or the European Food Safety Authority as well as FDA or Food and Drug Administration. While the marking technique produces high contrast, it does not adversely affect the spectral transmission, polymer clarity and the other physical properties of the end products and materials. The laser technique is devoid of any contact, offers better aesthetics and attractiveness, and is also environmentally friendly. While the earlier methods including the ink printing process as well as adhesive labeling were expensive, the laser marking technique offers affordability and quality at all counts.
Laser marking process
The first step of laser marking is the charring process where the temperature of the absorption site’s material is raised locally. A controlled oxygen supply does not allow charring of adjoining polymer areas. The additive used for marking may include aluminum particles, antimony trioxide, and/or antimony tin oxide. As these materials can be easily dispersed within the polymer, the marking is facilitated. The additives release the steam when they degrade, and polymer foaming occurs subsequently. At this particular time, the energy of the laser is thoroughly absorbed by the additive. The foaming agent may be a Carbonate or Aluminium Hydroxide. As the polymer degrades at a higher temperature (when compared to the temperature of additive) charring is prevented. The laser should be operated according to the parameters and should be better controlled so that durable and quality marks are generated even on the darkest of substrates.
The chemical additives and laser marking can increase the marking speed by up to 15%. The method is also highly cost-effective and can be used for marking a range of advanced plastics and other plastic materials that may not be effectively marked through traditional and other methods.
The smart additives and the new laser marking technique uses the polymer contained additives and can yield best-in-class marking contrast, speed, and highest details related to line edges. It is to be noted that there is no deleterious impact on the chemical and physical properties of the polymer. Laser marking is also a more cost-effective and faster method for marking a range of plastics.
