Security element

Abstract

The invention relates to a security element, in particular for value paper, security paper or security articles such as banknotes, certificates, credit cards, the security element (1) having at least one region (2) with a structure (3), in which at least one layer (4) having a color-changing optical effect is provided, the structure (3) has at least one color-changing optical effect layer (4), which causes a color-changing effect in the at least one first region (2) when viewed from the first side of the security element, and the structure (3) is entirely or partially covered by the at least one optical effect layer (4), the structure (3) being coated with at least one layer (5) made of at least one metal, wherein the at least one layer (5) formed from the at least one metal is arranged as an adhesive aid layer between the structure (3) and the optical effect layer (4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a security element, in particular for valuable papers, security papers or security articles such as banknotes, documents, credit cards, wherein the security element has at least one area with a structure, in which at least one color-changing optical effect layer is arranged, the at least one color-changing optical effect layer causes a color-changing effect in the at least one first area when observed from a first side of the security element, and the structure is fully or partially covered by the at least one optical effect layer.

[0002] In security elements with structures having a large surface area, problems may arise with regard to the adhesion of the color-changing optical effect layer to the structure. This may not only cause problems during production, but may also affect the service life of the security element.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages and to improve the production process and the quality of security elements with structured and colour-changing coatings.

[0004] This object is achieved according to the invention with a security element of the type mentioned in the introduction in that the structure is coated with at least one layer of at least one metal, wherein the at least one layer of the at least one metal is arranged as an adhesion promoter layer between the structure and the optical effect layer.

[0005] The solution according to the invention makes it possible to achieve good adhesion between the structure and the color-changing optical effect layer.In addition, the adhesion promoter layer influences the chemical resistance of the security element.

[0006] According to an advantageous variant of the present invention, it is provided that the structure is a refractive structure.

[0007] It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the structures have an aspect ratio of 0.05 to 3. It has been found that this variant of the invention together with the metallic coating achieves a particularly good connection between the refractive structure and the color-changing optical effect layer.

[0008] According to a preferred development of the present invention, it can be provided that the structure is an embossed structure, in particular a structure embossed into the embossed lacquer layer.

[0009] Furthermore, it can be provided that the contour of the at least one metal layer at least partially conforms to the contour of the structure, wherein in particular the interface of the at least one metal layer facing the optical effect layer conforms to the contour of the structure. This variant of the invention makes it possible to simultaneously perceive the color change effect of the optical effect layer and the effect caused by the structure (for example a holographic image) well.

[0010] It has also proven to be particularly advantageous if the at least one layer made of metal covers at least those regions of the structure to which the at least one optical effect layer is applied. This variant of the invention makes it possible, on the one hand, to produce transparent regions in parts of the effect layer, which transparent regions are, for example, in the form of patterns, characters, images, etc. (also referred to as "clear text"), and also ensures good adhesion of the color-changing effect layer to the structure.

[0011] It has been proved to be particularly beneficial that the at least one metal of the at least one layer formed by metal comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of or prepared from at least one of these materials: nickel, titanium, manganese, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, palladium, iron, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, aluminum, silver, copper and / or alloys of these materials, especially at least one nickel-chromium alloy. The metal layer used as an adhesion promoter particularly preferably comprises chromium and / or nickel. The alloy known by the name "Inconel" is particularly proven to be particularly suitable. Inconel is a nickel-chromium alloy, whose main component is nickel and comprises chromium as the most important secondary component. Additionally, iron, molybdenum, niobium, cobalt, manganese, copper, aluminum, titanium, silicon, carbon, sulfur, phosphorus and boron may be present. In addition to good adhesion promoter performance (especially for the metal layer of the discoloration effect layer), the uniqueness of this type of alloy is good (especially for hydrochloric acid) corrosion resistance.

[0012] Advantageously, provision can be made for the optical effect layer to be formed as a thin-film element and to have at least one absorber layer and at least one spacer layer.

[0013] According to a preferred improvement of the present invention, it can be proposed that the at least one absorber layer includes at least one metal material, in particular selected from the following group, or is made of at least one of these materials: nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, palladium, iron, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, aluminum, silver, copper and / or alloys of these materials.

[0014] Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous if the at least one spacer layer comprises the following material or is made of at least one of these materials: a low-refractive-index dielectric material having a refractive index of less than or equal to 1.65, in particular selected from the following group: aluminum oxide (Al2O3), metal fluorides such as magnesium fluoride (MgF2), aluminum fluoride (AlF3), cerium fluoride (CeF3), sodium aluminum fluoride (e.g. Na3AlF6 or Na5Al3F 14 ), silicon oxide (SiO x), silicon dioxide (SiO2), neodymium fluoride (NdF3), lanthanum fluoride (LaF3), samarium fluoride (SmF3), barium fluoride (BaF2), calcium fluoride (CaF2), lithium fluoride (LiF), low refractive index organic monomers and / or low refractive index organic polymers, or at least one high refractive index dielectric material having a refractive index greater than 1.65, in particular selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO2), carbon (C), indium oxide (I n2O3), indium tin oxide (ITO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5), cerium oxide (CeO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), europium oxide (Eu2O3), iron oxides such as iron (II, III) oxide (Fe3O4) and iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3), hafnium nitride (HfN), hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium oxide (HfO2), lanthanum oxide (La2O3), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd2O3), praseodymium oxide (Pr6O 11 ), samarium oxide (Sm2O3), antimony trioxide (Sb2O3), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se2O3), tin oxide (SnO2), tungsten trioxide (WO3), high refractive index organic monomers and / or high refractive index organic polymers.

[0015] According to an advantageous improvement of the present invention, it can be proposed that the optical effect layer formed as a thin-layer element further comprises at least one reflective layer and / or a second absorber layer, wherein the at least one spacer layer is arranged between the at least one first absorber layer and the at least one reflective layer and / or the at least one second absorber layer.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the optical effect layer formed as a thin-layer element further comprises at least one reflective layer and / or a second absorber layer, wherein the at least one spacer layer is arranged between the at least one first absorber layer and the at least one reflective layer and / or the at least one second absorber layer.

[0017] Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous if the at least one reflective layer comprises or is made of at least one metallic material, in particular from the group consisting of silver, copper, aluminum, gold, platinum, niobium, tin, or from the group consisting of nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt and palladium or alloys of these materials, in particular cobalt-nickel alloys, or at least one high-refractive-index dielectric material having a refractive index greater than 1.65, in particular from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO2), carbon (C), oxygen (O2), Indium nitride (In2O3), indium tin oxide (ITO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5), cerium oxide (CeO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), europium oxide (Eu2O3), iron oxides such as iron (II, III) oxide (Fe3O4) and iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3), hafnium nitride (HfN), hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium oxide (HfO2), lanthanum oxide (La2O3), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd2O3), praseodymium oxide (Pr6O 11 ), samarium oxide (Sm2O3), antimony trioxide (Sb2O3), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se2O3), tin oxide (SnO2), tungsten trioxide (WO3), high refractive index organic monomers and / or high refractive index organic polymers.

[0018] It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the at least one reflective layer or at least one of the absorber layers is applied directly to the layer made of metal serving as adhesion promoter, in particular printed and / or vapor deposited thereon.

[0019] It can further be provided that the security element has a carrier layer formed of plastic, wherein the plastic is in particular composed of a light-transmissive and / or thermoplastic plastic, and the carrier layer preferably comprises at least one of the materials selected from the following group or is prepared from at least one of these materials: polyimide (PI), polypropylene (PP), uniaxially oriented polypropylene (MOPP), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyethyleneimide (PEI), polysulfone (PSU), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyester, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide ( PA), polycarbonate (PC), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and ethylene tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene terpolymer (EFEP), plastics based on cellulose or lignin, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), thermoplastic starch (TPS), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and polybutylene adipate-terephthalate (PBAT) and / or at least one recycled plastic and / or a biodegradable and / or marine degradable plastic and / or a mixture and / or copolymer of these materials.

[0020] It can also be advantageously provided that the security element is provided with a further color-changing layer, in particular with a color-changing pigment or liquid crystal and / or with a layer having a machine-readable feature, wherein the machine-readable feature is in particular a magnetic code, a conductive layer, a substance that absorbs and / or re-emits electromagnetic waves. It is in particular possible that the security element has additional layers, wherein the additional layers in particular include a protective lacquer, a heat-sealing lacquer, an adhesive, a primer and / or a foil.

[0021] For a better understanding of the invention, the invention is explained in more detail with the aid of the following drawings.

[0022] The attached drawing shows a greatly simplified, schematic representation:

[0023] Figure 1 The layer structure of the security element according to the invention is shown.

[0024] according to Figure 1The security element 1 of the present invention has an area 2 arranged with a structure 3, which is used, for example, for valuable paper, security paper or security items (such as banknotes, certificates, credit cards, tickets, etc.). Area 2 can extend over a portion of the security element 1 or over the entire security element 1. A structure 3 is formed in area 2. The structure 3 is preferably a refractive or diffractive structure. The structure 3 can, for example, produce a holographic image and advantageously has an aspect ratio of 0.05-3. For structures with a right angle of inclination, such as a columnar structure, the aspect ratio should be understood as the ratio of the depth T of the structure 3 to the width B. In the present case, the depth T of the structure 3 should be understood as the normal distance between the horizontal position of the deepest point of the structure 3 and the horizontal position of the highest point. The width B of the structure 3 corresponds to the width of the recessed portion of the structure 3. In structures with an inclination angle not equal to 90°, such as a sawtooth structure, the aspect ratio is the ratio of the depth T of the structure to the peak spacing.

[0025] The structures 3 preferably have a depth T of more than 100 nm, in particular between 100 and 2000 nm, in particular between 150 and 1500 nm.

[0026] The structure 3 is coated with a layer 5 of at least one metal or alloy. The layer 5 is arranged between the structure 3 and the optical effect layer 4 as an adhesion promoter layer.

[0027] The material of layer 5 includes a material selected from the following group or is prepared from at least one of these materials: nickel, titanium, manganese, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, palladium, iron, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, aluminum, silver, copper and / or alloys of these materials, especially at least one nickel-chromium alloy. The material of layer 5 is particularly preferably chromium or a nickel-chromium alloy, such as Inconel.

[0028] The contour of the layer 5 preferably follows the contour of the structure 3, wherein in particular the interface of the layer 5 facing the optical effect layer 4 follows the contour of the structure 3. The at least one metal layer 5 covers at least those regions of the structure 3 to which the optical effect layer 4 is applied.

[0029] The optical effect layer 4 is preferably formed as a thin-film element. The optical effect layer 4 formed as a thin-film element comprises at least one reflective layer 6 and at least one spacer layer 7 .

[0030] The absorber layer 6 may include or be made of at least one metallic material, in particular, selected from the group consisting of nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, palladium, iron, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, aluminum, silver, copper and / or alloys of these materials.

[0031] The at least one spacer layer 7 may be made of a dielectric material, for example. In addition, the at least one spacer layer 7 may include the following materials or be made of at least one of these materials: a low-refractive-index dielectric material having a refractive index of less than or equal to 1.65, in particular selected from the following group: aluminum oxide (Al2O3), metal fluorides such as magnesium fluoride (MgF2), aluminum fluoride (AlF3), cerium fluoride (CeF3), sodium aluminum fluoride (such as Na3AlF6 or Na5Al3F 14 ), silicon oxide (SiO x ), silicon dioxide (SiO2), neodymium fluoride (NdF3), lanthanum fluoride (LaF3), samarium fluoride (SmF3), barium fluoride (BaF2), calcium fluoride (CaF2), lithium fluoride (LiF), low refractive index organic monomers and / or low refractive index organic polymers, or at least one high refractive index dielectric material having a refractive index greater than 1.65, in particular selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO2), carbon (C), indium oxide (I n2O3), indium tin oxide (ITO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5), cerium oxide (CeO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), europium oxide (Eu2O3), iron oxides such as iron (II, III) oxide (Fe3O4) and iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3), hafnium nitride (HfN), hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium oxide (HfO2), lanthanum oxide (La2O3), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd2O3), praseodymium oxide (Pr6O 11 ), samarium oxide (Sm2O3), antimony trioxide (Sb2O3), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se2O3), tin oxide (SnO2), tungsten trioxide (WO3), high refractive index organic monomers and / or high refractive index organic polymers.

[0032] An optical effect layer 4 formed as a thin-film element is applied on a layer 5 which is arranged on the structure 3 .

[0033] The layer thicknesses of the individual layers or sublayers forming the thin-layer element are shown in a greatly exaggerated and not to scale manner.

[0034] The color-changing optical effect layer 4 also includes a reflective layer 8. The at least one spacer layer 7 is arranged between the absorbent layer 6 and the reflective layer 8. The reflective layer 8 is applied directly to the layer 5 used as an adhesion promoter layer and can be printed and / or evaporated thereon in particular. It is also possible that this order in the optical effect layer can also be reversed, so that the absorbent layer is applied to the layer 5 followed by the spacer layer and the reflective layer. Thus, the assembly can correspond to the order of structure 3-metal layer 5-absorbent layer 6-spacer layer 7-reflective layer 8. If the layer 5 and the absorbent layer 6 are composed of the same material, it may be advantageous to apply these layers in one working process.

[0035] The reflective layer 8 may include or be made of at least one metallic material, in particular selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, aluminum, gold, platinum, niobium, tin, or selected from nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt and palladium or alloys of these materials, in particular cobalt-nickel alloys, or at least one high-refractive-index dielectric material having a refractive index greater than 1.65, in particular selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO2), carbon (C), indium oxide (In2O3) , indium tin oxide (ITO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5), cerium oxide (CeO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), europium oxide (Eu2O3), iron oxides such as iron (II, III) oxide (Fe3O4) and iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3), hafnium nitride (HfN), hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium oxide (HfO2), lanthanum oxide (La2O3), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd2O3), praseodymium oxide (Pr6O 11 ), samarium oxide (Sm2O3), antimony trioxide (Sb2O3), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se2O3), tin oxide (SnO2), tungsten trioxide (WO3), high refractive index organic monomers and / or high refractive index organic polymers. This applies to all the reflective layers 8 described in the embodiments.

[0036] Instead of the above-mentioned reflective layer 8, a further absorber layer can also be provided.

[0037] The security element 1 may further comprise a carrier layer 9. The carrier layer 9 may consist of a plastic material. In addition, the carrier layer 8 may also consist of a plurality of sublayers. The plastic may consist of a light-transmitting and / or thermoplastic plastic material. As a material for the carrier layer 9, it may comprise at least one of the materials selected from the following group or be made of at least one of these materials: polyimide (PI), polypropylene (PP), uniaxially oriented polypropylene (MOPP), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyethyleneimide (PEI), polysulfone (PSU), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyester , polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin copolymer (COC), polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-fluoro terpolymer (EFEP) and / or mixtures and / or copolymers of these materials. The carrier layer can have a thickness of 5 µm to 1000 µm, particularly preferably a thickness of 10 µm to 50 µm.

[0038] Arranging or applying the optical effect layer 4 or a sublayer thereof onto the layer 5 can be carried out, for example, by one or more printing processes and / or vapor deposition processes.

[0039] The structure 3 can be embossed directly into the carrier layer 9 , for example by heating the carrier layer 9 and pressing the structure into it by means of an embossing tool, such as an embossing roller.

[0040] Another alternative possibility is to provide a separate further layer 10 for receiving the structures 3. The further layer 10 can be applied directly to the carrier layer 9. The further layer 10 can then consist, for example, of a lacquer which is correspondingly deformed to arrange the structures 3. This can again be done by means of a deformation device or a deformation element in an embossing method. This further layer, in particular an embossing lacquer layer, and the structures 3 formed therein can, for example, have a thickness of 0.5 µm to 300 µm, in particular 0.8 µm to 50 µm, preferably 1 µm to 10 µm.

[0041] Furthermore, at least one intermediate layer is arranged between the layer 10 and the carrier layer 9 , which intermediate layer is formed, for example, by an adhesion promoter, a primer, an adhesive or the like.

[0042] For example, a protective layer (not shown here) can be provided as the uppermost layer or outermost layer of the optical effect layer 4, which protects the entire layer structure and / or the sublayer structure from mechanical damage such as scratches, fine lines, etc. The protective layer can also be arranged on the side of the carrier layer facing away from the optical effect layer. It is also conceivable to arrange it on both sides. With the help of the protective layer, it is preferably also possible to form the security element 1 in a planar manner.

[0043] It should be mentioned that the layer structure and the arrangement of the further layers depend on the manner in which the security element is applied to the security article, since the visible side of the security element after application is critical. Thus, the visible side, as shown in the figures, can be viewed from above, but it is possible to view the security element from below from the visible side (e.g. through the carrier).

[0044] At this point it should be noted that the expression "a layer is applied onto ..." is to be understood as meaning that the layer can be applied directly or one or more intermediate layers can still be present between the applied layer and the layer to which it is applied. It should also be noted at this point that one or more intermediate layers can be arranged between the layers described in this context. It is therefore not necessarily required that the layers described are in contact with one another. It should also be noted that the term "layer" is to be understood in this context as meaning that a layer can also consist of a plurality of partial layers. List of Reference Numerals

Claims

1. A security element, in particular for valuable papers, security papers or security articles such as banknotes, documents or credit cards, wherein the security element (1) has at least one area (2) with a structure (3), wherein at least one color-changing optical effect layer (4) is arranged, the at least one color-changing optical effect layer causing a color-changing effect in the at least one first area (2) when viewed from a first side of the security element, and the structure (3) is completely or partially covered by the at least one color-changing optical effect layer (4), characterized in that The structure (3) is coated with at least one layer (5) of at least one metal, wherein the at least one layer (5) of the at least one metal is arranged as an adhesion promoter layer between the structure (3) and the optical effect layer (4).

2. The security element according to claim 1, characterized in that The structure (3) is a refractive structure.

3. The safety element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The structure (3) has an aspect ratio of 0.05-3.

4. The security element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The structure (3) is an embossed structure, in particular a structure embossed into the embossed lacquer layer.

5. The security element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The contour of the at least one metal layer (5) conforms to the contour of the structure at least in partial sections, wherein in particular the interface of the at least one metal layer (5) facing the optical effect layer (4) conforms to the contour of the structure (3).

6. The security element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The at least one layer (5) formed of metal covers at least those regions of the structure (3) to which the at least one optical effect layer (4) is applied.

7. The security element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The at least one metal of the at least one layer (5) formed of metal is selected from, includes metals of the following group or is prepared from at least one of these materials: nickel, titanium, manganese, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, palladium, iron, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, aluminum, silver, copper and / or alloys of these materials, in particular at least one nickel-chromium alloy.

8. The security element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The optical effect layer (4) is formed as a thin-film element and has at least one absorber layer (6) and at least one spacer layer (7).

9. The security element according to claim 8, characterized in that The at least one absorber layer (6) comprises or is made of at least one metallic material, in particular selected from the group consisting of nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, palladium, iron, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, aluminum, silver, copper and / or alloys of these materials.

10. The security element according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that The at least one spacer layer (7) comprises the following materials or is made of at least one of these materials: a low-refractive-index dielectric material having a refractive index of less than or equal to 1.65, in particular selected from the following group: aluminum oxide (Al2O3), metal fluorides such as magnesium fluoride (MgF2), aluminum fluoride (AlF3), cerium fluoride (CeF3), sodium aluminum fluoride (such as Na3AlF6 or Na5Al3F 14 ), silicon oxide (SiO x ), silicon dioxide (SiO2), neodymium fluoride (NdF3), lanthanum fluoride (LaF3), samarium fluoride (SmF3), barium fluoride (BaF2), calcium fluoride (CaF2), lithium fluoride (LiF), low refractive index organic monomers and / or low refractive index organic polymers, or at least one high refractive index dielectric material having a refractive index greater than 1.65, in particular selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO2), carbon (C), indium oxide (I n2O3), indium tin oxide (ITO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5), cerium oxide (CeO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), europium oxide (Eu2O3), iron oxides such as iron (II, III) oxide (Fe3O4) and iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3), hafnium nitride (HfN), hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium oxide (HfO2), lanthanum oxide (La2O3), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd2O3), praseodymium oxide (Pr6O 11 ), samarium oxide (Sm2O3), antimony trioxide (Sb2O3), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se2O3), tin oxide (SnO2), tungsten trioxide (WO3), high refractive index organic monomers and / or high refractive index organic polymers.

11. The security element according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that The optical effect layer (4) formed as a thin-film element further comprises at least one reflective layer (8) and / or a second absorber layer, wherein the at least one spacer layer (7) is arranged between the at least one first absorber layer (6) and the at least one reflective layer (8) and / or the at least one second absorber layer.

12. The security element according to claim 11, characterized in that The at least one reflective layer (8) comprises or is made of at least one metallic material, in particular selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, aluminum, gold, platinum, niobium, tin, or selected from nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt and palladium or alloys of these materials, in particular cobalt-nickel alloys, or at least one high-refractive-index dielectric material having a refractive index greater than 1.65, in particular selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO2), carbon (C), indium oxide (In2 O3), indium tin oxide (ITO), tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5), cerium oxide (CeO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), europium oxide (Eu2O3), iron oxides such as iron (II, III) oxide (Fe3O4) and iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3), hafnium nitride (HfN), hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium oxide (HfO2), lanthanum oxide (La2O3), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd2O3), praseodymium oxide (Pr6O 11 ), samarium oxide (Sm2O3), antimony trioxide (Sb2O3), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), silicon monoxide (SiO), selenium trioxide (Se2O3), tin oxide (SnO2), tungsten trioxide (WO3), high refractive index organic monomers and / or high refractive index organic polymers.

13. The security element according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that The at least one reflective layer (8) or at least one of the absorber layers is applied directly to the layer (5) made of metal serving as an adhesion promoter, in particular printed and / or vapor deposited thereon.

14. The security element according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that The security element comprises a carrier layer (9) formed of plastic, wherein the plastic is in particular composed of a light-transmissive and / or thermoplastic plastic, and the carrier layer preferably comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of polyimide (PI), polypropylene (PP), uniaxially oriented polypropylene (MOPP), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyethyleneimide (PEI), polysulfone (PSU), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyester, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA) , polycarbonate (PC), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-fluoroterpolymer (EFEP), plastics based on cellulose or lignin, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), thermoplastic starch (TPS), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and polybutylene adipate-terephthalate (PBAT) and / or at least one recycled plastic and / or a biodegradable and / or marine degradable plastic and / or mixtures and / or copolymers of these materials.

Images