Madico introduces Durafol chemical resistant film

Madico Graphic Films, a supplier of specialist pressure sensitive coated film products for durable label applications, has announced the introduction of Durafol, a new thermal transfer printable polyester offering excellent chemical, elevated temperature, UV and scratch resistance.

Developed in response to market requests for a more versatile, all-in-one solution, Madico has introduced Durafol as a durable alternative to the more costly and time consuming process of over laminating labels with a clear protective film. Durafol is designed to be of particular use in applications requiring extreme chemical and mechanical resistance, including under-bonnet marking in the automotive industry, aerospace identification, laboratory facilities, the chemical industry and general industrial labels where variable information and barcode traceability are prerequisites.

The material is designed to offer superior chemical resistance when printed with a Ricoh B110CU thermal transfer ribbon. Independent tests carried out by Ricoh confirmed the product achieved maximum levels of resistance.

“Durafol meets and in most cases exceeds the needs of users by offering 25 percent improved chemical resistance compared to other films used in the same applications,’ says Andy Voss, Managing Director, Madico Graphic Films. “Its superior chemical resistance allows it to be thermal transfer printed and exposed to a variety of harsh chemicals such as toluene, Skydrol, brake fluid and acetone. With conventional grades offered by other suppliers, the print and/or the topcoating would be removed when exposed to such harsh fluids.’

Voss continued: ‘Compared to a label that is thermal transfer printed and then overlaminated, Durafol offers potential material and production cost advantages since it is a single process, using only one material.’

Glen Stocker, quality and technical services manager at total printing solutions supplier GSM Primographic is just one customer for whom Durafol is set to increase quality while improving both time and cost-effectiveness. For Stocker, Durafol offers particular benefits to GSM’s automotive clients, which include worldwide OEM suppliers for Ford, Jaguar, Nissan and Land Rover.

‘We supply a range of different informative, instructional and safety critical VDP labels for under-the-bonnet or other interior applications,’ explained Stocker. ‘As a very durable topcoat, Durafol will afford us greater chemical and abrasion resistance, which will be of huge benefit in meeting the often stringent abrasion test requirements of certain automotive specifications.

‘Historically we have had to use over-laminates to pass such tests and have applied thermal transfer printable over laminates to obtain better durability. Durafol will allow us to avoid overlaminating, thereby reducing set-up time on our machines and eradicating the inherent conversion problems often associated with some of the overlaminates that we currently process.’