Victrex films selected for laser marked PS label substrates

Victrex Polymer Solutions and Kuramoto Sangyo Company, a pressure sensitive sheet manufacturer, have developed a high resolution laser marking pressure sensitive label using Victrex APTIV film. The Victrex Peek polymer-based laser marking label is targeted for use in electronic and automotive label applications that need heat and chemical resistance and also for medical device labels that are used in high temperature steam and chemical sterilization and cleansing processes. 

The high heat resistant label utilizes heat resistant acrylic adhesive with Victrex’s high performance APTIV film as the substrate. The label is capable of adhering to a wide range of surfaces such as steel, ceramics and glass. The label is printed using the MX-V1000, a high resolution laser marker made by Omron Corporation. A variety of label colors and thicknesses are available including standard 50 micron and thin 25 micron labelstock. 

Laser marking requires no ink to make an almost indelible high resolution mark so the process can be used in a wide range of industries. Commonly used polymer labels such as those based on PET films are not suitable for high resolution laser printing because they have warpage problems and poor print quality caused by the high heat of the laser. On the other hand, the laser marking label developed by using the APTIV films is able to withstand the heat of the laser and offers clear and high quality printing results. 

‘The laser marking labels made from APTIV films enables clear and high resolution printing making them suitable for sophisticated printing applications such as barcodes, logos and QR codes that require unique design,’ said Yasuo Sato, manager of Kuramoto Sangyo. ‘Furthermore, since APTIV films exhibit the inherent performance properties of Victrex Peek polymer including, high heat, chemical and steam resistance and mechanical properties, it is suitable for laser marking applications used in demanding environments. In addition, by attaching pressure sensitive sheets to the surface of components inside electronic devices, it provides improved impact resistance.’ 

‘Unlike a common laser marker that uses YAG (Yttrium/Aluminum/Garnet) for the laser oscillator, our high resolution laser marker MX-V1000 uses YVO4 (Yttrium/Vanadate) and features high-power and narrow focusing, which allows high quality and high resolution printing,’ said Koichi Wada, manager of laser marking equipment at Omron. ‘By using a half cut process that cuts only the label layer and leaves the paper liner intact, only one laser marker is required to print and cut, improving productivity and lowering capital expenditure and maintenance cost.’