Photo Anodized Aluminum (Metalphoto®) Imaging Material |
Metalphoto® anodized aluminum material provides exceptional durability under a wide range of environments, including high temperatures, long term outdoor exposure, abrasion, salt spray and most chemicals. Metalphoto® gets its durability from its unique process which embeds the image within a sapphire hard anodized layer. The National Association of Graphic and Product Identification Manufacturers, Inc. (GPI) defines Metalphoto® as the most durable aluminum substrate, citing superior abrasion, heat and sunlight resistance. For over 40 years, Metalphoto® has been widely specified for military data plates and panels. It has been used on Navy destroyers and submarines, Apollo landing craft, Spaceship Columbia, military vehicles and tanks. Metalphoto® meets the most stringent MIL-spec standards such as MIL-DTL-15024 Type G & H and MIL-P-19834. It is the right choice whenever the appearance, legibility and longevity of information plates in challenging environments are important. Metalphoto® is an excellent material choice when either a few or many one-of-a-kind parts are required. Panels and nameplates can be produced quickly and economically. Available: Metalphoto® is a registered trademark of Horizons, Inc. |
Stainless Steel and Titanium |
Stainless steel is typically used when a very high resistance to corrosion or heat is required. Our standard stainless is type 304 with a #2B finish. We apply CerMarkTM and laser etch the data and 2D barcode producing a high contrast black, ceramic mark. These marks are generally considered to be as tough as the metal they are on. Physical tests have shown them to be resistant to common strong acids, bases, organic solvents and extreme heat and cold. These labels are also having good salt spray resistance, scratch resistance, and UV resistance. Although stainless steel labels are more expensive than anodized aluminum, they may provide superior durability is select environments.
Titanium can also be easily marked using the same process. For durability see - Physical Testing of CerMarkTM LMM-6000 Laser Marks CerMark™ is a registered trademark of Ferro Corporation. |
Aluminum Foil |
Aluminum foil labels are durable and versatile. The .003, .005, or .008 thick anodized aluminum can be applied with pressure sensitive adhesive. The labels easily conform to a curved surface and offer a low profile UID label. The copy, logo and barcode are produced photographically, resulting in high resolution and easily readable marks. The anodizing process protects the image from chemicals, abrasion, and high temperatures. The process also offers excellent image resistance to damaging UV exposure. For more detail see Durability Specs.
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AlumaMark® |
AlumaMark® is specially treated aluminum that yields rich black graphics when marked with a CO2 laser. The high contrast, easy to read marks make AlumaMark® appropriate for UID labels. The material is available as .005 or .020 thick, matte aluminum. The AlumaMark® material has been tested for performance in heat, chemicals, UV exposure, and abrasion. It has performed well, but as always we recommend testing all end use applications before specifying. The process also offers excellent image resistance to damaging UV exposure when coated with a polyurethane overcoat.
AlumaMark® is a registered trademark of Horizons, Inc. |
Polyester & Polyimide |
Polyester and polyimide (Kapton) labels perform well in caustic environments that are not suitable for metal labels. Polyester is a highly durable synthetic material available in a wide variety of thicknesses, colors and formulations. In general polyester film offers very good chemical, solvent and abrasion resistance. Printing is produced using thermal transfer printers. A variety of pressure sensitive adhesives are available. Because of the many formulations available, it is important to match your specific application to the appropriate material. Polyester materials may withstand temperatures up to 300 – 400 degrees F. Polyester labels are the least expensive, at least in large quantities. Sizes are limited to standard sizes. Polyimide (Kapton) labels are designed for use in the electronics industry requiring heat, chemical and abrasion resistance. Polyimide is recommended when temperatures reach 600 degrees F for short periods like that encountered during the soldering process. This material is also more resistant to cleaning solvents and edge lift. This label meets the requirements for MIL-Std-202F, Notice 12 Method 215 and is ROHS compliant. With a polyimide overlam, these labels meet MIL-PRF-61002, Grade A, Composition C. |
Laser Engraved |
Laser engraving as specified in MIL-DTL-15024 Type L can be used to create UID marks on many different materials including colored aluminum, TESA, plastics, stainless, and titanium. Depending on the material either a Yag, Fiber or C02 Laser is used to etch /engrave ( ablative), bond or anneal the mark on the material. When materials are etched or engraved, they are known as ablative labels because the surface is eroded by the laser beam to remove the top layer. This reveals a contrasting layer below. This can produce a high contrast mark, but may have removed the durablitiy of the surface as when anodized aluminum is lasered exposing the raw aluminum below. Often a protective overcoat is recommended to improve durablity. This is the process used for SS9141 labels. Laser etching can also change the finish of the material, creating a tone on tone or low contrast mark. With some materials the laser produces an annealing process which may cause a color change in the material. Often the contrast is insufficient for a good qulaity UID mark. Lasers can also be used to fuse materials to the base material, as with Cermark applied to stainless and titanium. |
Fabric |
Woven nylon fabric is available for UID labeling of items such as parachutes, tents, clothing, and flight suits. The soft, fine woven product has a special coating that produces excellent print results with a thermal transfer printer. This product is rated for 50 – 100 washes and at least 10 dry cleanings. Our woven label is available with and without adhesive backing.
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tesa ® Secure ™ 6973 PV6 |
tesa® Secure™ 6973 PV6 Black Matte consists of a double-layered, highly cross-linked polyacrylic film with a modified acrylic adhesive and a dimensionally stable release paper. Tesa is suitable for marking applications that require durablity, flexiblity and resistance to tampering. A standard tamper evident design feature prevents the label from being removed in one piece once it is applied. This material is flexible and can be used instead of metal plates or polyester. This laser engravable material offers excellent durablity in harsh conditions and can be laser cut to any size or shape during the marking process. Tesa Secure 6973 is resistant to abrasion, grease, oils and many other chemicals, and is temperature resistant (-58°F to +392°F). The labels can be cut to the size and shape of your choice. Printing is produced with a Nd:Yag or CO2 laser. The black matte background provides good contrast to the white text. In addition to excellent adhesion qualities, the peel and stick application is convenient. |