Influences of diantimony trioxide on laser-marking properties of thermoplastic polyurethane

Publication date: August 2018Source: Polymer Degradation and Stability, Volume 154Author(s): Junfeng Cheng, Hao Li, Jiaqi Zhou, Zheng Cao, Dun Wu, Chunlin LiuAbstractThe influences of diantimony trioxide (Sb2O3) on the laser-marking properties of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) are studied. The TPU/Sb2O3 composites are prepared by melt blending in a HAAKE mixer. A neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) pulsed laser beam of a wavelength of 1064 nm is used to scan the surfaces of the composites to create markings. Visual and microscopic analyses of the TPU/Sb2O3 composites after laser treatment show high-contrast black markings, depending on the Sb2O3 loading, Sb2O3 particle size, and laser-beam power. The laser-marking properties of the composite surfaces are analyzed by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Furthermore, a mechanism for the laser-induced darkening of the TPU/Sb2O3 composites is proposed. The Sb2O3 particles absorb laser energy and convert it into thermal energy. This causes the surrounding TPU matrix to carbonize into amorphous carbon, forming black markings.

Source: Polymer Degradation and Stability - July 11, 2018 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research