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Chen C, Wang J, Evans A, O’Hare D. Boosting NIR Laser Marking Efficiency of a Transparent Epoxy Using a Layered Double Hydroxide. ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS 2024; 6:8679-8686. [PMID: 39086925 PMCID: PMC11287490 DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.4c01815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Efficient near-infrared (NIR) laser marking on transparent polymers like polypropylene, epoxy, and polyethylene has posed a big challenge due to their lack of absorption in the NIR. Currently, inorganic additives are used to improve NIR laser marking efficiency, but they come with issues such as toxicity, high loading requirement, adverse effects on color/opaqueness, and the need for low laser head speeds. Herein, we report a new strategy of incorporating a food-grade, Mg2Al-CO3 LDH as a boosting coadditive alongside the commercial NIR laser marking additive (Iriotech 8815) in an epoxy system. Our findings demonstrate that the incorporation of Mg2Al-CO3 LDH can significantly increase both the darkness and contrast of marking even at high laser head speed (5000 mm/s), while minimizing surface damage. Notably, by replacing 95% of Iriotech 8815 with Mg2Al-CO3 LDH, an epoxy plate can exhibit high transparency, while producing dark, sharply defined markings with excellent readable QR code markings at high laser speeds. This result offers a promising solution for enhancing high-speed NIR laser marking on transparent polymers with additional advantages of lower toxicity and cost and with minimal optical interference from high additive loadings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunping Chen
- Chemistry Research Laboratory,
Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | | | - Alexander Evans
- Chemistry Research Laboratory,
Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Dermot O’Hare
- Chemistry Research Laboratory,
Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
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The Impact of Selected Laser-Marking Parameters and Surface Conditions on White Polypropylene Moldings. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14091879. [PMID: 35567048 PMCID: PMC9102095 DOI: 10.3390/polym14091879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Laser marking of polymer materials is a technology that is increasingly used in industry. Polypropylene (PP) shows a low ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation in the near-infrared range (λ = 1064 nm). The paper presents the influence of the surface condition of white-colored polypropylene moldings on the efficiency of their marking with a laser beam. In addition, the operation of the commercial laser marking additive (LMA) Lifolas M 117009 UN, intended to support the process of laser marking of polyolefin surfaces, was verified. The study is an attempt to combine laser operating parameters, material, and geometric properties of PP moldings to obtain the expected quality of graphic symbols. The test samples were made by injection molding method with the use of a specially designed modular injection mold. The molding cavities were prepared with various methods of metal processing, thanks to which obtained moldings differed in surface condition. The marking effects were assessed based on colorimetric tests and digital image analysis. The 0.5 wt% LMA content resulted in obtaining a graphic sign with high contrast in comparison to the background. The gradual increase in the modifier content resulted in a further increase in contrast. These values depended on the degree of surface finish of the samples, and therefore on the roughness parameters. Samples with a rough surface finish showed higher contrast compared to surfaces with a high surface finish. It was also found that for the analyzed moldings, the laser-marking process should be performed with the use of a low head velocity (450–750 mm/s) and a high concentration of the laser beam (0.03–0.05 mm).
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Cao Z, Lu G, Gao H, Xue Z, Luo K, Wang K, Cheng J, Guan Q, Liu C, Luo M. Preparation and Laser Marking Properties of Poly(propylene)/Molybdenum Sulfide Composite Materials. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:9129-9140. [PMID: 33842782 PMCID: PMC8028170 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c00255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
In this study, using molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) as laser-sensitive particles and poly(propylene) (PP) as the matrix resin, laser-markable PP/MoS2 composite materials with different MoS2 contents ranging from 0.005 to 0.2% were prepared by melt-blending. A comprehensive analysis of the laser marking performance of PP/MoS2 composites was carried out by controlling the content of laser additives, laser current intensity, and the scanning speed of laser marking. The color difference test shows that the best laser marking performance of the composite can be obtained at the MoS2 content of 0.02 wt %. The surface morphology of the PP/MoS2 composite material was observed after laser marking using a metallographic microscope, an optical microscope, and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). During the laser marking process, the laser energy was absorbed and converted into heat energy to cause high-temperature melting, pyrolysis, and carbonization of PP on the surface of the PP/MoS2 composite material. The black marking from carbonized materials was formed in contrast to the white matrix. Using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy, the composite materials before and after laser marking were tested and characterized. The PP/MoS2 composite material was pyrolyzed to form amorphous carbonized materials. The effect of the laser-sensitive MoS2 additive on the mechanical properties of composite materials was investigated. The results show that the PP/MoS2 composite has the best laser marking property when the MoS2 loading content is 0.02 wt %, the laser marking current intensity is 11 A, and the laser marking speed is 800 mm/s, leading to a clear and high-contrast marking pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Cao
- Key
Laboratory of High Performance Fibers & Products, Ministry of
Education, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, P. R. China
- Jiangsu
Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation
Center of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, P. R. China
- Changzhou
University Huaide College, Changzhou 213016, P. R. China
- National
Experimental Demonstration Center for Materials Science and Engineering
(Changzhou University), Changzhou 213164, P. R. China
- ;
| | - Guangwei Lu
- Jiangsu
Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation
Center of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Hongxin Gao
- Jiangsu
Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation
Center of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Zhiyu Xue
- Jiangsu
Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation
Center of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Keming Luo
- Jiangsu
Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation
Center of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Kailun Wang
- Jiangsu
Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation
Center of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Junfeng Cheng
- Jiangsu
Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation
Center of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Qingbao Guan
- Key
Laboratory of High Performance Fibers & Products, Ministry of
Education, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, P. R. China
| | - Chunlin Liu
- Jiangsu
Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation
Center of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, P. R. China
- Changzhou
University Huaide College, Changzhou 213016, P. R. China
- National
Experimental Demonstration Center for Materials Science and Engineering
(Changzhou University), Changzhou 213164, P. R. China
| | - Ming Luo
- School
of Materials Engineering, Changshu Institute
of Technology, Changshu, Jiangsu 215500, P. R. China
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Lu G, Wu Y, Zhang Y, Wang K, Gao H, Luo K, Cao Z, Cheng J, Liu C, Zhang L, Qi J. Surface Laser-Marking and Mechanical Properties of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Copolymer Composites with Organically Modified Montmorillonite. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:19255-19267. [PMID: 32775929 PMCID: PMC7409255 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c02803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
In this study, organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) was prepared by modifying MMT with a cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The obtained OMMT of different loading contents (1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 wt %) was melt-blended with poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene) (ABS) to prepare a series of ABS/OMMT composites, which were laser marked using a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser beam of 1064 nm under different laser current processes. X-ray diffraction (XRD), color difference spectrometer, optical microscope, water contact angle tests, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Raman spectroscopy were carried out to characterize the morphology, structure, and properties of the laser-patterned ABS composites. The effects of the addition of OMMT and the laser marking process on the mechanical properties of ABS/OMMT composites were investigated through mechanical property tests. The results show that the obtained ABS/OMMT composites have enhanced laser marking performance, compared to the ABS. When the OMMT content is 2 wt % and the laser current intensity is 9 A, the marking on ABS composites has the highest contrast (ΔE = 36.38) and sharpness, and the quick response (QR) code fabricated can be scanned and identified with a mobile app. SEM and water contact angle tests showed that the holes, narrow cracks, and irregular protrusion are formed on the composite surface after laser marking, resulting in a more hydrophobic surface and an increased water contact angle. Raman spectroscopy and XRD indicate that OMMT can absorb the near-infrared laser energy, undergo photo thermal conversion, and cause the pyrolysis and carbonization of ABS to form black marking, and the crystal structure itself does not change significantly. When the 2 wt % of OMMT is loaded, the tensile strength, elongation at break, and impact strength of ABS/OMMT are increased by 15, 20, and 14%, respectively, compared to ABS. Compared with the unmarked ABS/OMMT, the defects including holes and cracks generated on the surface of the marked one lead to the decreased mechanical property. The desirable combination of high contrast laser marking performance and mechanical properties can be achieved at an OMMT loading content of 2 wt % and a laser current intensity of 9 A. This research work provides a simple, economical, and environmentally friendly method for laser marking of engineering materials such as ABS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangwei Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory
of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School of Materials
Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of
Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou
University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Yinqiu Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory
of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School of Materials
Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of
Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou
University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory
of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School of Materials
Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of
Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou
University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Kailun Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory
of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School of Materials
Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of
Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou
University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Hongxin Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory
of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School of Materials
Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of
Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou
University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Keming Luo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory
of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School of Materials
Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of
Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou
University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Zheng Cao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory
of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School of Materials
Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of
Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou
University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of High Performance Fibers
& Products, Ministry of Education, Donghua
University, Shanghai 201620, P. R. China
- Changzhou
University Huaide College, Changzhou 213016, P. R. China
- National Experimental Demonstration Center for Materials Science
and Engineering (Changzhou University), Changzhou 213164, P. R. China
| | - Junfeng Cheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory
of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School of Materials
Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of
Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou
University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Chunlin Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory
of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School of Materials
Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of
Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou
University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- Changzhou
University Huaide College, Changzhou 213016, P. R. China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Optic-electric Sensing
and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE; College of Chemistry
and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University
of Science and Technology, No. 53 Zhengzhou Rd, Qingdao 266042, P. R. China
| | - Juan Qi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory
of Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials, School of Materials
Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of
Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou
University, Changzhou 213164, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- School
of Chemical Engineering, Xuzhou College of Industrial Technology, No.1 Xiangwang Road, Xuzhou 221140, P. R. China
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