Way To Choose A Suitable Label Solution For Harsh Environment

Harsh environments characterized by corrosive chemicals, extreme temperatures, and high-intensity friction are considered a "nightmare" for labeling and tagging. These conditions are responsible for numerous challenges, including:

Surface deformation of labels
Adhesive layer peeling
Fading information that becomes difficult to read or scan
Multiple other critical issues

In this article, Ricoh will analyze optimal label solutions to ensure durability and flexibility in challenging industrial environments.

Corrosive Chemicals: A Major Challenge for Industrial Labels

In industrial and manufacturing settings, labels frequently encounter various corrosive chemical exposures. Below is a guide to chemical classification by severity, highlighting typical examples. Don't hesitate to get in touch with Ricoh directly for a comprehensive consultation for specific chemical interactions not listed here.

Weak Chemicals	Window Cleaners	Water
Moderate Chemicals	Alcohol	Bleach
Harsh Chemicals	Gasoline	Oil
Extreme Chemicals	Xylene	Acetone

(According to Zebra - Ricoh's Global Partner in Printing and Barcode Identification Equipment)

Acetone and Xylene are two characteristic chemicals in harsh environments that cause severe damage to standard labels.

Acetone - a common industrial solvent, has the capability to dissolve standard printing ink, quickly causing label information to blur or disappear completely.

Xylene - a component commonly found in paints, varnishes, and industrial cleaning solutions - not only attacks and fades printing ink but also deforms label surfaces, causing wrinkling, shrinkage, or peeling.

Additionally, other impacts such as high temperatures, exposure to intense light, or high-intensity friction can also contribute to or amplify label degradation. However, within the scope of this article, Ricoh will focus on the most significant destructive factors in harsh environments.

Current Common Methods

Metal Engraving Plates

Advantages

High durability and excellent resistance
Long lifespan, up to several decades

Disadvantages

High production costs
Difficult to update or customize information when needed
Not suitable for applications requiring thin, small, high-resolution barcodes

3 common ways to execute labelling in harsh environments?

Handwritten Labels

Advantages

Easy to create, flexible information customization
No special equipment is required, low-cost

Disadvantages

Information easily fades or washes away when exposed to chemicals
Lack of professionalism
Poor information traceability
Incompatible with automated management systems
High human error rate

Thermal Printed Labels with Protective Coating

Advantages

Ensures long-lasting printed information
Flexible information customization as needed

Disadvantages

Requires multiple materials: printing ink, base labels, protective coating
High costs, long preparation time, complex process
Difficult to update or customize information when needed

Among the three labeling methods discussed, thermal printing with protective coating offers the most advantages in terms of cost and operations. However, thermal labeling methods still face significant limitations when applied in harsh environments, which will be addressed in the following sections.

Barriers to Thermal Printing in Harsh Environments

Additional Protective Layer Costs

Protective Materials

Commonly used materials include:
Polyester (PET) film
Polypropylene (PP) film
Vinyl (PVC) Overlaminates
Fluoropolymers (PTFE, FEP)
Special coatings like Epoxy, Ceramic, or Silicon coatings

Coating Methods

Requires specialized machinery for large-scale label lamination
Manual protection coating requires additional materials and resources

Label Material Durability Challenges

Chemical Exposure Damage

Acids, alkalis, and organic solvents can destroy the molecular structure of label materials, causing decomposition or loss of binding capabilities.

High Temperature Deformation

When exposed to temperatures above 80°C, standard labels can:

Shrink
Warp
Potentially burn, rendering information unreadable

Ink Resistance Limitations

Industrial Solvent Interaction

Solvents like acetone, toluene, and xylene used in manufacturing processes can dissolve standard ink within minutes of contact.

Thermal Durability Degradation

Harsh environments involve frequent thermal impacts. Continuous hot-cold cycles cause expansion and contraction, leading to ink cracking and peeling over time.

Adhesive Layer Neutralization

Acid and Alkaline Reactions

High or low-pH environments can break down adhesive molecular structures, reducing adhesion strength. Many applications require additional tape or nailing to support label adhesion.

Temperature Variations

Extreme high or low temperatures, or significant temperature ranges, can cause label structure contraction, indirectly damaging the adhesive layer.

Môi trường khắc nghiệt ảnh hưởng thế nào đến tem nhãn của bạn, how harsh environment affects your labels?

Ricoh's Solution

As a specialist in label solution providers in Vietnam, Ricoh consistently develops recommendations based on the actual operating environment of labels.

For applications in harsh environments, especially those involving extremely strong chemicals, Ricoh offers customers a solution using Resin B110CU thermal transfer ribbon and corresponding RFR labels.

Why Do the RFR and B110CU Combination Suit Harsh Environments?

Extreme Chemical Resistance

RFR labels are manufactured from high-grade PP & PET materials with an advanced high-tech coating developed and researched by Ricoh. This coating enables resistance against multiple corrosive chemicals. When combined with B110CU thermal transfer ribbon, this duo has successfully passed Ricoh's rigorous chemical resistance tests, including:

Extreme Chemicals: Acetone, Xylene, IPA, Toluene (Tested with 250 friction cycles in solution)

Common Solvents: Machine oil, Lubricants, Ethanol, Thinner (Tested with 250 friction cycles)

The ANSI scale image below further confirms the chemical resistance when combining Resin B110CR thermal transfer ribbon and RFR labels, with all measurements achieving a perfect 5/5 rating.

Grasp knowledge about labels for harsh environment, B110CU and RFR label

Superior Printing Quality

The B110CU thermal transfer ribbon is specifically designed to create sharp, high-resolution images on RFR label surfaces.

Why TTR Resin B110CU and RFR Label are the best solution for harsh environment?

Additional Physical Impact Resistance

Withstands temperatures up to 250°C
Unaffected by continuous 24-hour water immersion
Resistant to 650W/m² Xenon light exposure
Endures 50 abrasions with a 1kg hardboard at 100°C

Multiple Label Base Options

RFR-W: White, Polypropylene
RFR-WP: White, PET
RFR-SP: Silver, PET

International Certifications

The Resin B110CU thermal transfer ribbon and RFR labels have achieved critical certifications, including:

MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), RoHS Compliance, Halogen-Free Certification
UL (Underwriters Laboratories): A mandatory certification in many heavy industries: Customers can verify information on the UL website

Benefits of Using B110CU and RFR

Cost Savings: High durability means fewer label replacements, significantly reducing material costs.

Customized Label Printing: Leveraging flexibility, durability, and customization options (size, design, pre-printed information) simultaneously becomes a key advantage.

Reliable Material Sourcing: Customers can order genuine B110CU and RFR labels directly from Ricoh IMS Vietnam, ensuring optimal waiting times and quality.