Antimony Tin Oxide (ATO) enables laser marking by free-carrier near-IR absorption that converts the laser beam into localized heat. The hot zone drives controlled surface chemistry and microstructure change (micro-foaming, carbonization, or mild ablation), producing durable high-contrast marks on engineering plastics.
LaserMark-W™ is an ATO-based laser-activation additive for high-contrast marking on light or low-absorption engineering plastics. It converts near-IR laser energy into localized heat so the scanned surface undergoes controlled micro-foaming, carbonization, or mild ablation to form permanent contrast.
LaserMark-W™ is a laser-responsive functional additive designed to improve marking contrast on light-colored or difficult-to-mark polymer systems. It is used to enable clearer, higher-contrast codes under common industrial laser wavelengths by promoting controlled, localized surface/optical change during irradiation.
Under laser exposure, LaserMark-W acts as a laser-activation additive (not a conventional color pigment). It helps convert laser energy into a localized response at the marking zone, improving visual contrast and edge definition. Final mark appearance depends on polymer chemistry, filler/pigment package, additive loading, and laser parameters.
LaserMark-W is typically evaluated in light or natural polymer systems where contrast is limited by base formulation. Compatibility must be confirmed by trials on your exact resin grade and color package. Common evaluation families include PP, PE, PA, ABS, PC, and relevant blends/compounds used for industrial parts.
The effective process window is defined by your laser configuration and the compounded formulation. During trials, vary one factor at a time (loading, speed, power, focus) and verify: (1) code readability, (2) edge definition, and (3) repeatability across parts/batches. Establish acceptance criteria based on the end-use environment.
Conventional pigments primarily provide color and broad absorption, but may not yield sufficient contrast or clean edges on certain light substrates. LaserMark-W is positioned as a functional laser-response additive aimed at improving the marking response under irradiation rather than serving as a colorant. Selection should be based on readability targets and process robustness.
When conductive fillers are used (e.g., for ESD parts), laser marking response can change due to altered optical/thermal behavior. Validate LaserMark-W on the full conductive formulation, focusing on code readability and surface integrity. Related material: SWCNT Slurry.
LaserMark-W™ is a laser-responsive functional additive for engineering plastics. It is designed for permanent laser marking under fiber and green laser systems, and is not a color pigment or filler. • Enables high-contrast laser marking at low additive loading • Converts laser energy into localized optical contrast • Compatible with fiber (1064 nm) and green (532 nm) laser systems • Does not migrate, bleed, or affect surface finish • Maintains mechanical and electrical properties of base polymers • Suitable for standard compounding and injection molding processesATO is an n-type wide band gap oxide where Sb donor chemistry is stabilized in a rutile SnO₂ lattice. That stability matters when process temperature, oxygen availability, and organics determine whether antimony remains electronically/chemically “active” or becomes compensated and less reactive.
In polymer-adjacent processing, residue chemistry also matters: organic binders or surfactant residues can electrically and chemically isolate particles, increasing inter-particle resistance and altering apparent activity until post-heating removes organics.
ATO conductivity and defect population arise when Sb⁵⁺ substitutes Sn⁴⁺, introducing shallow donor states and populating the conduction band. Oxygen vacancies and interstitial Sn can further increase donor concentration.
When Sb³⁺ forms (typically at excessive Sb levels or insufficient oxidation), compensating acceptor states trap electrons and reduce net conductivity. Thermal activation (oxidizing Sb³⁺ → Sb⁵⁺ and improving crystallinity) is therefore a boundary condition for reaching the intended electronic/defect state.
Non-Applicability: ATO is not a drop-in replacement for soluble antimony PET polycondensation catalysts at typical PET reaction temperatures; it does not inherently provide the same melt-phase catalytic availability without system-specific chemistry.
Unknown/Unverified: The extent to which antimony species derived from ATO participate in PET reaction pathways (and how that maps to acetaldehyde generation, IV loss, or color) is formulation- and process-dependent and must be validated experimentally.
Activation Boundary: If processing never exceeds ~500 °C in an oxidizing environment, Sb³⁺ → Sb⁵⁺ conversion and full oxide-state activation may remain incomplete, limiting the intended donor/defect state and downstream electrical behavior.
Common failure sensitivities include compensation from excessive Sb, moisture-driven resistivity drift, organic residue isolation (requiring post-heating), and clustering that breaks continuity and shifts effective percolation behavior to higher loadings.
Mechanism statements follow established defect chemistry and transparent conducting oxide literature (Sb-doped SnO₂), combined with process-known sensitivities for organics, humidity, and thermal activation in oxide nanoparticle films. PET-specific catalytic outcomes remain application-test dependent.
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