Madico launches film for printed circuit board labeling

Labels and Labeling thumbnail

Madico Graphic Films, a supplier of specialist pressure sensitive, coated film products for durable label applications, has expanded its range of labelstocks with the addition of a high quality, high temperature gloss white polyimide material. The new substrate is designed to meet the increased performance requirements for thermal transfer barcode labels in printed circuit board manufacturing and claims to offer a number of advantages over existing polyimide/Kapton variants.


Madico’s polyimide substrate withstands the extreme high temperatures involved in the component soldering aspect (bottom of board labeling) of circuit board manufacture. The company says that this differentiates the product from certain other films that shrink or melt under the direct application of lead-free solder which, while conforming to increasing environmental legislation, is typically 30 to 40C higher in temperature than conventional lead-based solder. Madico’s polyimide film is said to maintain whiteness, barcode readability and adhesive performance when exposed to 300C for one minute.


Further benefits are afforded by Madico’s polyimide film at the post-construction stage of circuit board assembly, thanks to the application of an opaque white top-coat. The high chemical resistance of the material ensures that it remains in place during the arduous cleaning phase, which can involve the use of infrared, as well as harsh chemicals such as Freon.  In addition, the product delivers excellent durability by withstanding the effects of abrasion and ribbon smudging.


Madico’s polyimide labelstock also meets manufacturer requirements to print more data at increasingly smaller font sizes, due to the continued reduction in size of circuit boards and labels. The substrate’s smooth ultra-consistent, high opacity white top-coating enables high resolution 600dpi printing of thermal transfer labels. This ensures sharp fonts and reduces the problem of print drop-outs, commonly associated with lower quality top-coatings. The opaque top-coat affords further quality benefits, thanks to its resistance to yellowing when exposed to high temperatures.


Andy Voss, managing director of Madico Graphic Films, said: ‘For a long time, electronics manufacturers have had limited choice when it comes to selecting suppliers to fulfill their printed circuit board labeling needs and this has invariably impacted upon price. The introduction of Madico’s own polyimide substrate is not only less expensive than certain other films, but surpasses the specific application requirements demanded by customers.  We therefore expect it to represent a viable and competitive proposition that will widen the market choice available to customers.’


Madico’s gloss white polyimide labelstock is supplied in thicknesses of both 25 and 50 microns and is available as product codes 01-860 and 01-861, respectively. Each product uses Madico’s advanced P168 adhesive, which offers superior adhesion and performance when exposed to high temperatures and circuit board cleaning chemicals.


Click here for more stories about Madico on L&L.com.