Polymer Composite for Laser Marking and Dye Diffusion Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no commercial solution for a material that is suitable for both laser marking and printing by means of dye diffusion thermal transfer printing, which is essential for security and valuable documents like passports and ID cards.
Innovation Solution
A polymer-based composite comprising a polyamide component, a (co)-polyamide based on ether units and amide units, and carbon black, which provides adequate absorbency for printing ink and sufficient transparency and absorption centers for laser energy, enabling both high-quality laser marking and printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If polycarbonate is used for laser marking, then laser marking quality is improved, but dye diffusion thermal transfer printing absorbency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material consisting of polycarbonate as the base material combined with a polyamide layer containing carbon black particles. This composite structure allows the polycarbonate to provide laser marking quality while the polyamide-carbon black combination provides adequate dye absorbency for thermal transfer printing, thus resolving the contradiction between laser marking quality and dye absorbency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different functional properties to different layers of the composite material. The polycarbonate layer provides laser marking quality, while the polyamide layer with carbon black provides dye absorbency. This local differentiation of material properties allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
2Quantity of substance
If PVC is used for printing, then dye diffusion thermal transfer printing absorbency is improved, but laser marking quality and environmental friendliness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces PVC with a composite material of polycarbonate and polyamide-carbon black. This composite maintains adequate dye absorbency through the polyamide-carbon black layer while eliminating the environmental issues associated with PVC and restoring laser marking quality through the polycarbonate base material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by transitioning from PVC to a polycarbonate-polyamide composite. This parameter change maintains dye absorbency through the polyamide layer while improving environmental compatibility and laser marking quality through the polycarbonate base material.
3Device complexity
If a single material is used for both laser marking and printing, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision for both processes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material structure with polycarbonate as the base and a polyamide-carbon black layer for printing functionality. This composite approach maintains relatively simple overall structure while achieving high manufacturing precision for both laser marking (through polycarbonate) and dye diffusion thermal transfer printing (through polyamide-carbon black layer).
Solution Approach 2:
The composite material serves multiple functions: the polycarbonate base material provides laser marking capability, while the polyamide layer with carbon black provides dye absorbency for thermal transfer printing. This multi-functionality allows a single material system to support both processes with high quality without requiring separate materials.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The polymer-based composite achieves excellent color intensity and image quality in dye diffusion thermal transfer printing while maintaining the security and durability required for laser marking, outperforming existing materials like polycarbonate and PVC.
Implementation Method 1
dye diffusion thermal transfer printing
Implementation Method 2
the selection of the polyamide component and the (co)-polyamide and the amount of the carbon black result in both sufficient transparency and sufficient absorption centers for the laser energy
Data Source
Figure 1~6
AI summary
Disclosed is a polymer based composite, comprising (a) a polyamide component, (b) a (co) -polyamide based on ether units and amide units, and (c) carbon black. Also provided herein is the finding that (1) the (co) -polyamide (b) offers sufficient absorbency for the printing ink, and (2) the selection of the polyamide component and the (co) -polyamide and the amount of the carbon black result in both sufficient transparency and sufficient absorption centers for the laser energy. Also disclosed are the use of, and the moulded article made of the polymer based composite, and a layered structure comprising at least one layer made of the polymer based composite and a security and/or valuable document comprising the layered structure.