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From Light to Lettering: Laser Marking on Silicones
The lettering remains even after the light has faded away: the use of a laser beam for purposes of marking and labeling – or simply laser marking – is an excellent method for high-precision, permanent marking on silicone products. Among its several applications, laser marking is used, for instance, on medical devices, cables, or household goods – in other words, wherever distinct, razor-sharp, and permanent labeling is required.
In the ever-evolving world of product labe- ling and marking, one method stands out for its precision, durability, and adaptability – laser marking on silicones. Whether it's for medical devices, cables, or everyday household items, the need for clear, long-lasting labels is un- deniable. From series and batch numbers to QR codes and expiration dates, laser marking provides a solution that meets these diverse requirements.
The Need for Laser Marking
The reasons for labeling are as varied as the products themselves. In the medical field, the focus is on shelf life, distinctiveness, and preventing mix-ups. In other industries, it's about tracking options, streamlined logistics, copy protection, and preventing counterfeiting. Regardless of the purpose, the marking must meet specific criteria: it should be easily read- able by humans or machines, and, above all, it should be permanent and durable. However, silicone products, despite their numerous advantages, present a challenge for conventional printing techniques. Inkjet or pad printing may yield poor results, including blurred outlines, abrasion, or ink dissolution when exposed to chemicals or UV light. Laser marking emerges as the solution to these limitations.
Light Is the Answer: Laser Marking Laser marking is an exceptional alternative for achieving permanent, razor-sharp labels on silicone parts. This non-contact process relies on the heat generated by a laser beam to trigger a chemical reaction within the material itself. Unlike traditional printing, laser marking is less sensitive to abrasion, heat, UV rays, or chemicals. It can be implemented on translucent silicone products and even curved surfaces like cables.
Advantages of Laser Marking • Non-contact, high-speed marking process that uses a laser beam to deliver precise and sharp outlines
• High-precision, high-contrast marking is achieved on a wide range of colored and translucent silicone products • Excellent readability, even with small font sizes and intricate graphics or QR codes • Permanently low level of sensitivity to wear, heat and chemicals
• Suitable for a wide range of shapes; can be implemented even on uneven surfaces, flex- ible components and hard-to-reach areas • Requires no labels or solvents. • Adaptable to various shapes: Suitable for uneven surfaces, flexible components, and hard-to-reach areas.
• No need for labels or solvents: Simplifies the marking process.
For successful laser marking, you only need a special formulation and a suitable laser, typically with an emission wavelength
of approximately 1,064 nm. This non-contact process involves directing the laser beam onto the target surface for a short duration, triggering a chemical reaction in the material. Depending on the laser-sensitive pigment's composition, this reaction can lead to discolor- ation or foaming of the substrate.
What can be laser marked?
Iriotec® 8000 laser-sensitive pigments are ideal for marking plastics and powder coated surfaces. Laser-sensitive pigment powders and pigment granules
Laser marking technology is already well established in a variety of applications: • Expiration dates on bottle caps, adhering to the most stringent food regulations • Serial numbers, ID codes, and barcodes on technical parts, adding indestructible and permanently visible markings
• Important information on caps and closures, in high resolution with strong, fine lines • Markings on liquid containers in the automo- tive industry capable of withstanding chem- icals (including oil) and heat. No more need for labels that could become detached. • Containers used in medical diagnosis: marked lines (e.g. filling levels) instead of labels. Also, suitable for end users. • Cables and wires: precise labeling on every cable for future identification purposes • Iriotec® 8000 is recommended in this area because it delivers clear and durable marking.
… and many more
In collaboration with WACKER and König & Bauer Coding GmbH, Merck Electronics KGaA conducted the “Laser Marking on Silicones” webinar in February 2023. Find out more on dedicated webpage
https://www.merckgroup.com/en/s/
silicone-laser-marking.html
Merck Electronics KGaA | Frankfurter Str. 250 | Postcode: C011/439 | 64293 Darmstadt | Germany
www.merckgroup.com
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