Durables Labelling
Durable labels serve a wide variety of applications requiring a hard-wearing, long-lasting solution:
when information has to be available for the lifetime of the product
- for model identification and serial numbers
- for warnings and safety instructions
- for variable information printed by thermal transfer
- when UL approval is required
Durables labelling materials
PET (polyester) is widely use for durables labelling. UPM Raflatac’s PET White TC 50 is suitable for use on computer hardware, domestic appliances and various electronics, while PET Matt Silver TC 50 may be used on automotive parts or power tools, for example. A clear and thin 12-micron PET overlaminate can be used to protect the labels from wear and abrasion.
Other high-strength labelling materials include Tyvek and Tyvek Brillon, both used for cable labelling, and PE white strong 75.
Adhesives for high-endurance labelling
The RP adhesives in the durables and security ranges offer long-term durability, heat resistance to 100 C, good chemical resistance and good adhesion to a variety of surfaces. Higher levels of adhesion, chemical resistance and heat resistance up to 120 C are available with the UV Hotmelt adhesives.
UPM Raflatac’s RP 37 adhesive provides all the performance required for general applications, and RP 77 for labelling rough substrates. Heavy-duty applications involving exposure to high temperatures or chemicals require a durable label face combined with the UV Hotmelt adhesive RC 18.
The new RD 300 adhesive is ideal for labelling applications involving exposure to harsh conditions. It also provides good adhesion to plastic substrates with low surface energy. RD 932 is a high-tack adhesive offering excellent final adhesion even on rough surfaces like cast metals, textured plastics and powder-coated surfaces, as well as low surface energy plastics.
UL approval
End-users may require that labelling materials have an approval for their durability. Independent testing institutes such as Underwriters Laboratories specialise in setting up durability tests. Labels are applied to particular substrates, exposed to specified liquids and temperatures, and their performance evaluated. When thermal transfer labels are involved, the type of ribbon should be specified and used in the test procedure.
We have a full range of white, clear and silver PET faces, overlaminating films, PPs, strong PEs, high tear-strength materials and more. See our at-a-glance chart of Durables products with properties and looks to meet your requirements:
Product cards:
- RD 300 (eng)
- RD 300 (cze)
- RD 932 (eng)
- RD 932 (cze)
- PET White TC 50
- PET Matt Silver TC 50
For more information, please contact your nearest UPM Raflatac representative.