Low visibility laser marking additive
AssigneeEngelhard Corporation
InventorsJames B. Carroll, Jr., Steven A. Jones
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Laser marking of plastic material is achieved by incorporating into the plastic a laser marking particulate additive having a particle size of less than 100 nm. A mixed oxide particle of tin and antimony having a particle size of 10–70 nm is useful as a laser marking additive when using a YAG laser. A metallic powder can further be added to improve marking contrast.
Claims17
In a method of laser marking an article containing a laser marking additive therein by impinging a laser beam on the article, wherein said article is a plastic resin, the improvement which comprises utilizing a particulate laser marking additive having a particle size of less than 100 nm, said article optionally containing at least one metal powder and/or semimetal powder selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, titanium, magnesium, copper, tin, silicon, zinc, and mixtures thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.