Laser-effected darkening in TPEs with TiO2 additives

Investigations were carried out for laser-effected darkening and damage-free laser marking on thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs). Titanium dioxide (TiO2) was studied as the laser-sensitive additive to the TPEs for its role in enhancing laser marking contrast and its effect on the TPE properties. Laser beam characteristics, processing variables and percentage loading of TiO2 in the TPEs were found to have significant effect on the marking contrast. Surface damage-free and high contrast marking have been achieved with short pulse LJV lasers. The laser-effected darkening was found to penetrate into the material in the order of a few tens of microns. XPS analysis was carried out to understand the laser-effected darkening mechanism. Potential applications of the technique are highlighted. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.