Absorbing Agents

Industrial laser welding and marking application on plastics usually use laser sources like diode lasers, Nd:YAG-lasers or fiber lasers. Such lasers emit coherent radiation of low divergence on typical wavelengths between 800nm to 1100nm. Natural plastics didn't absorb this radiation very effectively.

In many cases carbon black is used as additive to increase effectively the absorption of the plastic for the laser radiation. But by carbon black the plastic is also colored black in the visible.

For application with needs of flexibility in coloration or transparency, carbon black cannot be used as absorbing agent. In such cases special organic dyes or inorganic pigments offers the opportunity to absorb the laser radiation without significant influence to the plastic coloration.

These absorbing agents can be used as additive mixed to the resin or as surface coating locally placed to the joint area.

To select the suitable absorbing agent and process for your application the following services are offered:

  Selection of suitable absorbing agents as additive or coating, e.g. usable for medical devices, packaging or   consumer goods,
  Selection of suitable coating processes,
  Providing masterbatches and compounds for application tests, also color matched materials (in co-operation   with material suppliers),
  Process evaluation and feasibility trials,
  Carry out or arranging test production.

Often the available plastic is not well suited for an initial plastic laser welding process evaluation. In such cases it is more favorable to apply the absorbing agent as coating by manual application using a special pen applicator. On request you will get a pen applicator with absorbing agents dissolved in a solvent adapted to the material and wavelength of your application.

Please take up contact for getting more information.