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XF 550

 THERMOGARD™ WHITE POLYIMIDE LABEL STOCK for 600dpi PRINTING
Technical Data Sheet
POLYONICS, INC.
POLYONICS XF-550 THERMAL TRANSFER PRINTABLE WHITE POLYIMIDE LABEL STOCK
Description: Polyonics XF-550 is a glossy, white opaque polyimide label material with a permanent pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive and a clear topcoat specifically designed for thermal transfer printing at print densities of 600 dpi.

Polyonics XF-550 polyimide label material is designed for barcode or alphanumeric identification of printed circuit boards, or related electronic components. It is the ideal polyimide (or kapton) label to withstand mixed circuit board processes, on either the top or bottom side of the board. It has excellent resistance to harsh fluxes, cleaners, saponifiers, and wave solder environments, and resists all commonly employed methods of cleaning. XF 550 polyimide labels are one of several polyimide label materials available.

When used with the proper ribbon, XF 550 polyimide labels pass MIL-STD-202F method 215J. The printed polyimide label resists smearing, even when the board and label are directly removed from a reflow or wave solder environment. Colored versions of XF-550 polyimide label material are available.

The choice of thermal transfer printer can make a real difference as well on the overall polyimide label performance. Our materials can be used with most industrial thermal transfer printers, such as Zebra, Intermec, Sato, Printronix, NEC, Datamax, and Brady label printers, for harsh environment bar code label printing with a wide variety of thermal transfer ribbons.

XF-550 polyimide labels are also suitable for use in ISO clean-room applications, when used with a film liner instead of a paper liner.
Test data and test results contained in this document are for general information only and shall not be relied upon by Polyonics customers for designs and specifications, or be relied on as meeting specified performance criteria. All values shown are averages and should not be used for specification Purposes. Customers desiring to develop specifications or performance criteria for specific product applications should contact Polyonics for further information.
Some useful properties of XF 550 printable white polyimide label material
PROPERTY
METHOD
RESULT
ADHESIVE THICKNESS
ASTM D 1000
0.0018-.0020 in.(0 .046-0.051 mm)
180 DEGREE PEEL ADHESION
ASTM D 1000
24 hour dwell 35 oz/in (39 N/100 mm)
72 hour dwell 50 oz/in (55 N/100 mm)
COATED FILM THICKNESS
ASTM D 1000
0.0024-.0027 in.(0.061-0.069 mm)
FLAMMABILITY
ASTM D 1000
Average Burn Time < 2 seconds
DIELECTRIC STREGNTH
ASTM D 1000
> 8 kv
THERMAL CHARACTERISTICS
PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES
TYPICAL RESULTS
Short Term High Service
5 minutes at 500°F (260°C)
No visible effect to label at 260°C,
label discolors slightly at 270°C,
300°C label moderately discolors
Label remains functional.
2 Hours at 338°F (170°C)
No visible effect to label at 170°C,
label discolors slightly at 190°C,
moderately at 220°C
severely at 260°C.
Label remains functional.
Long Term High Service Temperature
1000 hours at 212°F (100°C)
No visible effect to label at 100°C
label discolors slightly at 120°C
moderately at 145°C.
Label remains functional.
Vapor Phase Resistance: Label adhered to epoxy PC board and exposed to 2 minutes in Fluorinert FC-5312 vapor phase at 420°F (216°C). No visible effect without rub, moderate to total print smear with rub, depending on pressure used and number of rubs employed.
CHEMICAL RESISTANCE, measured by PCS (Print Contrast Signal)
CHEMICAL
TEST CONDITION
RESULT
Control
260°C heat, 5 minutes
99%
Trichloroethane
74°C, 10 minutes
98%
Aquanox SSA® 30% aqueous
40-50°C, 10 minutes
98%
RE-ENTRY® KNI 2000 Terpene
40-50°C, 10 minutes
98%
BIOACT® EC-7R Terpene
40-50°C, 10 minutes
98%
Alpha Metals Inc. 2110 Saponifier
6% Aqueous
65-70°C, 10 minutes
98%
Isopropanol 99%
82°C, 10 minutes
99%
Deionized Water
100°C, 10 minutes
99%
XF 550, as noted above, also withstands the rigors of MIL-STD-202F, Notice 12, 215J.
PROPERTIES
TEST METHOD
Chemical Resistance
MIL-STD-202F, Notice 12, Method 215J
Samples printed with recommended thermal transfer ribbon using a Zebra 90Xi printer. Labels printed with alphanumerics and 3:1 ratio barcodes with 6 mil X dimension bars. Samples subjected to 3 cycles of three minute immersions immediately followed by a toothbrush rub after each immersion.
TEST FLUID
RESULTS
Solvent A
1 part IPA, 3 parts Mineral Spirits
No visible effect
Solvent B
1,1,1 - Trichloroethane
Solvent deleted per Notice 12
Solvent C
Terpene Defluxer
No visible effect
Solvent D
Saponifier
No visible effect
Note. All values shown are averages and should not be used for specification purposes. Test data and test results contained in this document are for general information only and shall not be relied upon by POLYONICS or American Printing Converters customers for designs and specifications, or be relied on as meeting specified performance criteria. Customers desiring to develop specifications or performance criteria for specific product applications should contact POLYONICS or American Printing Converters for further information.
Environmental Tests

Customer expectations, supported by our laboratory data clearly show that XF 550 polyimide label material can be stored for at least one year in an environment below 80 degrees F and 60% RH . We are confident that our product will perform well beyond this time frame. However, it remains the responsibility of the user to assess the risk of using such product. We encourage customers to develop functional testing protocols that will qualify a product's fitness for use, in their actual applications.

**INK RIBBONS DISCLAIMER NOTE

Polyonics, Inc. does not endorse ribbons from specific ribbon companies. Our recommendations are based solely on the manufacturers testing methods and procedures and are subject to revision without further notice.

American Printing Converters' goal is to achieve total customer satisfaction, and we offer a 100% guarantee on all our bar code thermal transfer ribbon products.
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ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials (USA)

AQUANOX SSA® is a trademark of Kyzen Corporation. BIOACT® is a registered trademark of Petroferm, Inc. RE-ENTRY® is a registered trademark of Environsolv, Inc. THERMOGARD™, TRIBOGARD®, & POLYONICS are registered trademarks of Polyonics, Inc.