Laser-writable polymer material

A laser-writable molding material containing:

• A) at least one polymer material or at least one precursor compound which can be polymerized to give a polymer material, and
• B) a particulate salt-like compound or a mixture of particulate salt-like compounds, which under the influence of laser light changes its color or leads to a color change in the component A),
• Wherein the at least one polymer material of component A) is selected from polymer compounds having siloxane crosslinking units.

A laser-writable molding material as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one polymer material of the component A) is selected from silicones, silicone rubbers, silicone resins, silicone-modified thermosetting materials, silicone-modified elastomers, siloxane crosslinking units-bearing copolymers and mixed polymers and mixtures of the aforementioned with other polymer materials.

A laser-writable molding material as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one polymer material of the component A) is selected from the group consisting of silicones, silicone rubbers and silicone resins.

A laser-writable molding material as set forth in claim 1 wherein the proportion by weight of component A) is between 40 and 99.95% by weight with respect to total mass of the molding material.

A laser-writable molding material as set forth in claim 1 wherein the salt-like compound or mixture of salt-like compounds of component B) is selected from the group consisting of metal phosphates, metal phosphites and mixtures thereof.

A laser-writable molding material as set forth in claim 1 wherein the salt-like compound or mixture of salt-like compounds of component B) is selected from the group consisting of orthophosphates, polyphosphates, pyrophosphates, hydroxyphosphates and mixtures thereof.

A laser-writable molding material as set forth in claim 1 wherein the salt-like compound or mixture of salt-like compounds of component B) is selected from the group consisting of copper phosphates, tin phosphates, iron phosphates, nickel phosphates, molybdenum phosphates, cobalt phosphates, manganese phosphates, antimony phosphates and mixtures thereof.

A laser-writable molding material as set forth in claim 1 wherein the salt-like compound or mixture of salt-like compounds of component B) is selected from the group consisting of copper phosphates, tin phosphates and iron phosphates.

A laser-writable molding material as set forth in claim 1 wherein the salt-like compound or mixture of salt-like compounds of component B) includes copper hydroxyphosphate [CHP;

• Cu4(OH)2(PO4)2].

A laser-writable molding material as set forth in claim 1 wherein the salt-like compound or mixture of salt-like compounds of component B) is included in an amount of between 0.01 and 10%.

A laser-writable molding material as set forth in claim 1 wherein the salt-like compound or mixture of salt-like compounds of component B) is included in an amount of between 0.1 and 5%.

A laser-writable molding material as set forth in claim 1 wherein the salt-like compound or mixture of salt-like compounds of component B) is included in an amount of between 0.3 and 2% by weight, with respect to the total mass of the molding material.

A laser-writable molding material as set forth in claim 1 wherein the salt-like compound or mixture of salt-like compounds of component B) has a mean particle size (D50) of less than 50 μm.

A laser-writable molding material as set forth in claim 1 wherein the salt-like compound or mixture of salt-like compounds of component B) has a mean particle size (D50) of less than 15 μm.

A laser-writable molding material as set forth in claim 1 wherein the salt-like compound or mixture of salt-like compounds of component B) has a mean particle size (D50) of less than 10 μm.

A laser writable molding material as set forth in claim 1 wherein it contains as a component C) at least one additive selected from the group consisting of:

• stabilizers for improving the resistance to the action of light, UV radiation and weathering, stabilizers for improving thermal and thermo-oxidative resistance, stabilizers for improving hydrolytic resistance, stabilizers for improving acidolytic resistance, lubricants, mold removal aids, coloring additives, crystallization-regulating substances and nucleation agents, flame-proofing agents, impact toughness modifiers, fillers and/or plasticizers.

A molding which can be obtained by shaping of a laser-markable molding material as set forth in claim 1.

A laser-marked molding which can be obtained by irradiating a molding with laser light, which molding comprises a laser-markable molding material as set forth in claim 1.

A method for the production of a laser-writable molding material utilizing at least one of a polymer material or a precursor compound which can be polymerized to give a polymer material, in accordance with the definition of the component A) as set forth in claim 1,

A method for the production of a laser-writable molding material by incorporating a particulate salt-like compound or a mixture of particulate salt-like compounds in accordance with the definition of component B) as set forth in claim 1.