A solution for every application
By contrast, the Micabs® pigment is supplied in the form of granules, rather than powder, and can be added to many different polymers in order to create dark-colored laser markings on a light background. Unlike the conventional method, which involves coloring the plastic itself by means of laser light and heat, Micabs contains exactly defined laser-activated particles that change color when exposed to a laser beam. This yields a consistent marking independent of the type of polymer.
By contrast, the Micabs® pigment is supplied in the form of granules, rather than powder, and can be added to many different polymers in order to create dark-colored laser markings on a light background. Unlike the conventional method, which involves coloring the plastic itself by means of laser light and heat, Micabs contains exactly defined laser-activated particles that change color when exposed to a laser beam. This yields a consistent marking independent of the type of polymer.
The choice between the two pigments depends upon the desired application and considerations such as marking speed and whether the marking should be machine-readable or not. Both Lazerflair® and Micabs® pigments produce excellent results and are highly stable in many environments. “There’s no one definitive solution. For that, there are just too many combinations of plastics, filler materials, and coloring agents. Besides, the laser equipment from the various manufacturers is all different. That’s why there’ll only ever be a solution that is tailored to the customer’s precise needs,” says Piening.
| Laser marking in the everyday world |
Laser marking is now used in a wide range of industries. Cables in aircraft, for example, require markings that remain clearly legible for a long time, and computer components carry information that is inscribed by means of laser marking. The most promising and exciting field at present, however, is to be found in the food industry. As some of our products are free of heavy metals, they can be incorporated without problem in food packaging. “In the run-up to the 2010 World Cup, we’ve had inquiries for inscribing competitions in bottle caps. It’s handy that Coca-Cola has now approved the Micabs® C-type pigments for the use in their packaging” says Piening. |
