Inks for Package Marking - Page 1 of 2: Markem Pad Printing Inks

Package Marking Inks

As its name implies, the ink marking process employed for printing brands and other information on the package of a semiconductor device uses ink. Since semiconductor ink marking is usually done by pad printing, this ink is also referred to as pad printing ink.

Ink chemistry developed for semiconductor use must enhance opacity and marking contrast, shorten the drying or curing time, increase mark permanence, and optimize manufacturability. Good opacity may be achieved through a pigmentation system that provides the ink with a higher concentration of pure pigments. An ink product should be able to achieve the required opacity and contrast with only a single pass of pad printing.

Ink drying or curing may be achieved in different ways, e.g., air-drying, heat-curing, and uv curing. Drying/curing requirements must be considered in the selection of the appropriate ink for any semiconductor marking process.

A properly cured ink must exhibit good permanence, or resistance to chemical or mechanical damage.

Two major manufacturers of pad printing ink for semiconductor package marking are Teca-Print and Markem.

Table 1. Examples of Markem Pad Printing Inks

Heat Cure Inks

4482 Epoxy based heat curing liquid ink for application by MARKEM pad printers and similar pad printing systems onto substrates including conventional and low stress molding compounds and ceramics

4402 Epoxy based ink for printing on glass, metal and phenolic

4403 Epoxy based ink for printing on glass epoxy and ceramic

4405 Epoxy based ink for printing on glass, epoxy and phenolic

4408R Single part ink for printing on low stress and conventional molding compounds

4461 Phenolic based ink for printing on nickel, gold and epoxy

4481 Epoxy based ink for printing on low stress molding compounds and acetal plastics

4486 Urethane based for printing on anodized aluminum, nickel, and gold.

4487 Single part ink for printing on low stress molding compounds, ceramic, anodized aluminium, nickel and gold.

4488 Single part ink for printing on low stress molding compounds, nickel and gold

4489 Single part ink for printing on ceramic, aluminum and nickel

4496 Single part urethane based pad printing ink for printing on low stress molding compounds

Two-Part Inks

4407 Fast drying ink for printing on low stress molding compounds, nylon and aluminum

5462 Air dry ink for printing on polyamide, acrylic and polycarbonate

UV Cure Inks

4460 Epoxy based ink for printing on ceramic and plastic

4464 UV cure ink for application by closed cup pad printing systems for printing on low stress and conventional molding compounds

4465 UV cure ink for printing on low stress molding compounds

4466 UV cure ink for printing on electronic molding compounds

4495 UV cure ink for printing on gold

Disclaimer: The information contained in this section were taken from various publications and web sites of the featured manufacturers, and are intended for quick reference only. SFE shall not be responsible for any effect, whether direct or indirect, that may arise from the use of the above information. The readers are encouraged to contact companies of their interest for more information and a more complete listing of products available.

Table 2. Examples of Teca-Print Pad Printing Inks

1-Component Inks

TPC 460

Special stoving system pad printing ink

Suitable for: Thermosets, metals, lacquered surfaces. Also good adhesion on glass.

Properties: Stoving system: hardener is built into the ink system and is heat-activated. Excellent chemical resistance and good mechanical resistance; glossy

TPC 490

Pad printing ink for untreated polypropylene

Suitable for: Untreated polypropylene.

Properties: Semi-gloss finish. More information available in the technical data sheet.

1/2-Component Inks

TPC 180:

Most universal pad printing ink

Suitable for: Thermoplastic materials as well as duroplastics, wood, paper and metals.

Properties: Excellent covering power. User-friendly and quick-drying processing in open and sealed ink well systems and for rotary printing. Glossy finish.

TPC 311:

Universal pad printing ink

Suitable for: Specially formulated for thermoplastic materials

Properties: quick-drying system with excellent covering power. Silk gloss finish.

TPC 320:

Universal stable pad printing ink

Suitable for: Thermoplastic materials, especially ABS, PS and its co-polymerisates, hard PVC, PMMA and

polycarbonate. On polyester, polyamide and other duroplasts pre-treatment may be necessary.

Properties: Very user-friendly. Weather-, petrol- and alcohol-resistant, this can even be improved by adding hardener.

Glossy finish.

2-Component Inks

TPC 200:

Highly resistant pad printing ink

Suitable for: Cellulose acetate, thermosets, polyamides, polyester, acetyl resins (post-treated), pre-treated

polypropylene, metals and varnished substrates. Used for industrial and advertising applications.

Properties: Quick drying ink system with good adhesion, glossy finish.

TPC 230:

Pad printing ink with maximum resistance

Suitable for: Best adhesion characteristics with thermosets, varnished surfaces, metals, NE-metals, polyamide,

polycarbonate, polyester, polymethacrylate, polyurethane and hard PVC. Particularly suited where adhesion

is of prime importance.

Properties: Quick drying and glossy. High chemical resistance against organic solvent, chemicals, thinned alkalis and acids. The resistance against mechanical abrasion is substantially better compared to TPC 200.

TPC 250:

Pad printing Ink for glass and bottle printing

Suitable for: Ideal for glass and bottles. Excellent ink for use on thermosets including, ceramics, metals; including

chromed, nickel, gilded or rhodanised surfaces.

Properties: Mixed with HG hardener, perfect adhesion is achieved with curing at 140°C/20 to 30 min. Very high

chemical and mechanical resistance. High colour brilliance.

TPC 261:

Pad printing ink with high resistance

Suitable for: Polyolefine (PE/PP), thermoplasts, thermosets, and a number of metals and varnished substrates.

Properties: Glossy and quick drying ink system.

TPC 270:

New 2 component high resistence Pad printing ink for medical application

Suitable for: Pretreated polyolefines like Polyethylene and polypropylene, duroplastics and Epoxy resins. lacquered

bottles, diverse metals and thermoplastics.

Properties: Suitable for medical sterilization up to 140°C/1 hour, water-resistant, quick drying, glossy. Highly chemical

and weather resistant.

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