The Micabs range is claimed to offer superior contrast, higherdefinition and marking speed.

The Micabs range is claimed to offer superior contrast, higher
definition and marking speed.

DSM is claiming a breakthrough for its Micabs range of additives for laser marking.

According to DSM business manager for Micabs Dr Valerie Reid, the additive may be used with all polymers in a range of processes.

As well as offering superior contrast, higher definition and marking speed, the additives do not cause background discoloration associated with certain particulate additives.

Exhibiting at last week’s Kunststoffen 2003 fair in Veldhoven, The Netherlands, Reid explained that the colour change with laser exposure takes place within the particle, so that consistent marking is obtained irrespective of the polymer. Contrast levels depended on the amount of Micabs used.

“It even works in silicon, a polymer material that itself does not contain carbonisable material,” Reid said.

Laser marking of PE/PO laminate materials is among the applications DSM expects to open up through the introduction of Micabs.

A venture company Micabs BV will be launched by the end of the year. DSM intends that it should operate fully independently in 2006, when it will be taken out of DSM’s mainstream business.