What is the specific material composition of mixed carbon ribbon?

Hybrid ribbon is a commonly used consumable in thermal transfer printing technology, which combines the characteristics of wax based and resin based ribbons to balance print quality, durability, and cost. The following is a typical material composition and functional analysis of mixed carbon ribbon:

1. Main components

Wax

Function: Provides flexibility and printing smoothness of carbon ribbon, suitable for printing on ordinary paper or coated paper.

Features: Low melting point, easy to bond with label materials during printing, but weak scratch resistance.

Resin

Function: Enhance the wear resistance, chemical corrosion resistance, and high temperature resistance of carbon ribbon, suitable for printing synthetic materials such as PET, PP, PVC, etc.

Features: High melting point, forming a hard protective layer after curing, enhancing the durability of the label.

Carbon Black

Function: As the main coloring agent, it ensures high contrast and clarity of printed content.

2. Additives

Hardener curing agent

Function: Promote the cross-linking and curing of resin components, enhance the adhesion and durability of printed images.

Antistatic Agent

Function: Reduce the accumulation of static electricity during the printing process, and prevent the carbon ribbon from adsorbing dust or sticking.

Lubricant

Function: Reduce friction between the print head and carbon ribbon, and extend the lifespan of the print head.

3. Structural composition

Mixed carbon ribbon usually adopts a multi-layer structure, and the typical structure is as follows:

Backcoat

Material: Silicone or special polymer.

Function: Protect the print head, reduce wear, and ensure smooth passage of carbon ribbon through the print head.

Substrate (Carrier Film)

Material: Polyester film (PET).

Function: As a support layer for carbon ribbon, it provides strength and stability.

Release Coat

Material: Wax or special resin.

Function: Control the adhesion between the carbon tape and the label, ensuring that the residual carbon tape after transfer printing is easy to remove.

Printing Layer (Ink Layer)

Materials: A mixture of wax, resin, carbon black, and additives.

Function: Directly transfer to the surface of the label to form printed content.

4. Performance characteristics

Applicable scenarios:

Print labels with moderate durability requirements (such as logistics labels, product identification).

Suitable for coated paper, synthetic paper, and some synthetic materials such as PE and PP.

Advantages:

The cost is lower than pure resin based carbon ribbon, but the durability is higher than wax based carbon ribbon.

Fast printing speed and strong compatibility.

limitations:

Scratch resistance and chemical resistance are weaker than pure resin based carbon ribbon.

Not suitable for extreme environments such as high temperatures and strong solvent contact.

5. Precautions

Storage conditions: Avoid high temperature and humid environments to prevent carbon ribbon adhesion or deterioration.

Printing settings: The printing temperature, pressure, and speed need to be adjusted according to the label material.

Environmental friendliness: Some high-end hybrid carbon ribbons comply with environmental standards such as RoHS and REACH.

By optimizing the ratio of wax to resin and the formulation of additives, the mixed carbon ribbon can provide a balance between cost, print quality, and durability, suitable for most conventional label printing needs.