Horizons Imaging Systems Group has announced the availability of a new CO2 laser markable material, DuraBlack.
Durable Asset Labels & Signage with Any CO2 Laser
It is the first laser markable aluminum that is resistant to weather, temperature, fluid exposure, abrasion and salt-spray. DuraBlack is specifically designed for harsh environments such as military, outdoor and industrial settings. It does not use any protective surface coating. DuraBlack can be used in energy or utility asset tags, UID barcodes, industrial or work-in-progress tags, architectural signage and transportation labels.
The material can produce images with any type of CO2 marking laser. It provides a durable and white-metallic image with high-resolution on a dull black backdrop. DuraBlack features two layers of thermoset coating that are bonded to aluminum of 0.005" or 0.020" thickness. This enables fastening of the material to flat or curved surfaces using rivets, screws or adhesives.
Side-by-side testing shows that DuraBlack CO2 laser markable aluminum surpasses black anodized aluminum and laser markable acrylic label materials in specific applications. Horizons had conducted tests on DuraBlack in five simulated environments; salt-spray, high-temperature, weather, abrasion and fluid exposure. The material passed all the tests based on MIL-STD-130 bar code verification.