Black titanium dioxide enables laser marking by absorbing 1064 nm laser energy and converting it into localized thermal energy, which induces controlled surface carbonization or contrast formation in thermoplastics without bulk material degradation.
LaserMark-SF is a laser-responsive functional additive that enables light, foamed contrast marking on dark or high-absorption engineering plastics. It generates clear, durable markings through controlled surface foaming rather than pigment burning, ensuring high readability without compromising polymer performance.
| Parameter | W | SF | P | C | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Marking Objective | High dark contrast on light polymers | Sb-free dark marking | Reliable marking under difficult conditions | Colored / green marking | Stable marking in electronic & hybrid systems |
| Laser Interaction Type | Localized surface darkening | Localized surface modification | High-efficiency energy absorption | Color-selective laser response | Laser response stabilization |
| Resulting Mark Appearance | Black / dark gray | Black / gray | Dark, industrial contrast | Green or colored mark | Neutral contrast, controlled |
| Electrical Behavior Impact | Low impact in standard polymers | Electrically neutral | Low impact (not ESD-targeted) | Electrically neutral | Electrically neutral (insulating) |
| Cleanliness / Outgassing | Standard polymer grade | Standard polymer grade | Industrial grade | Standard polymer grade | Low outgassing / electronics-friendly |
| Best-Fit Application Class | Consumer goods, medical devices | Regulated consumer & industrial parts | Industrial, thick or filled parts | Visual coding, differentiation, branding | Connectors, sensors, ESD-sensitive parts |
| Processing Robustness | Broad processing window | Broad processing window | Very robust, wide laser window | Moderate, color tuning required | Stable, resin-dependent |
| When NOT to Use | ESD-critical electronic parts | When Sb is allowed and max contrast is needed | Aesthetic or decorative marking | When only black contrast is required | Simple cosmetic marking |
Black titanium dioxide exhibits strong near-infrared absorption due to its oxygen-deficient lattice structure. This allows efficient conversion of laser energy into heat, enabling high-contrast marking on polymers that are otherwise transparent to NIR wavelengths.
Upon laser irradiation, black TiO₂ absorbs photons in the 900–1100 nm range. The absorbed energy excites lattice electrons and generates localized thermal gradients. This heat induces polymer surface modification, carbonization, or pigment oxidation, forming visible markings without ablating the substrate.
Non-Applicability: Ineffective in highly reflective or thermally insulating polymers where heat dissipation exceeds activation thresholds.
Unknown / Unverified: Long-term optical stability under repeated high-energy laser exposure remains application-dependent.
Activation Boundary: Below ~8–10 J/cm² laser fluence, thermal conversion is insufficient to generate visible contrast.
Mechanisms are derived from laser–matter interaction theory, solid-state physics literature, and industrial laser marking performance studies on black TiO₂ systems.
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LaserMark-SF is a laser-responsive functional additive designed to generate light or foamed contrast markings on dark or high-absorption engineering plastics.
2. How does LaserMark-SF create contrast?LaserMark-SF works through controlled surface foaming under laser irradiation, producing light-colored marks without relying on pigment burning or carbonization.
3. What types of plastics are suitable for LaserMark-SF?LaserMark-SF is suitable for dark-colored or carbon-filled engineering plastics such as PP, ABS, PC, PA and related compounds.
4. Which laser systems are compatible?LaserMark-SF performs effectively under common fiber (1064 nm) and green (532 nm) laser systems used in industrial marking.
5. Is LaserMark-SF a pigment or colorant?No. LaserMark-SF is a functional laser-activation additive and does not act as a color pigment or filler.
6. Will LaserMark-SF affect mechanical or surface properties?At optimized addition levels, LaserMark-SF maintains the mechanical integrity and surface quality of the base polymer.
7. How does LaserMark-SF differ from LaserMark-W?LaserMark-SF is optimized for light or foamed markings on dark substrates, while LaserMark-W is designed for dark, high-contrast markings on light or low-absorption plastics.
8. Can LaserMark-SF be used together with other functional additives?Yes. LaserMark-SF can be formulated alongside conductive additives, fillers or stabilizers when proper formulation balance is maintained.
For detailed processing guidance and marking optimization, please refer to the LaserMark-SF Application Guide.