BASF Mark-it™ pigment facilitates better markings and faster marking speeds in a variety of polymers when used with YAG laser marking systems.
YAG lasers at 1064 nm wavelength are gaining in popularity in the laser marking industry due to their variable power and flexibility. This results in greater marking speeds and shorter turnaround times for the end user. However, most polymers do not mark well with a YAG laser alone. Additives that absorb laser energy are needed to create the desired markings.
Mark-it absorbs laser light and provides the necessary conversion of laser energy to thermal energy for most YAG laser marking applications.
The product is an antimony-doped tin oxide pigment that is easily dispersed in polymers. Marking speeds as high as 190 inches per second have been achieved with the use of Mark-it. Typically, Mark-it pigment loading is 0.1% in polyolefins to obtain a high-quality mark.
The pigment was the first to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for use in the laser marking process using a YAG laser to generate dark and light marks. Mark-it also has FDA approval for use at loadings up to 0.5% in polyolefins that contact food under conditions A-H of 21 CFR 178.3297 Colorants for Polymers.
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