Technology

Micabs® is fundamentally different from conventional additives.

Conventional laser additives
Absorption of the laser light by the polymer is a precondition for marking. However, most polymers are almost transparent to the wavelength of the laser light. Conventional laser additives are therefore added to absorb the laser light, transform the absorbed light into heat, and carbonize the matrix. The quality of the mark depends on the carbonizing ability of the matrix.

Conventional:                                                                                                 Micabs:

Micabs
For dark markings using Micabs, the process is different. Micabs is a granulate that is dispersed in the polymer using compounding or dry blending. Upon processing, an ideal dispersion of defined laser active particles is obtained in the matrix. During laser irradiation, these particles absorb the laser energy and change from light to dark. The laser mark is activated inside the Micabs particle and is independent of the carbonizing ability of the matrix.