Patent · US Expired

Bismuth-containing laser markable compositions and methods of making and using same

US6680121B2 · kind B2 · utility

34Cited by
53References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 18, 2002
Grant dateJan 20, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 18, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/31
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The present invention relates to additive, pigment or colorant materials which may be used for laser marking. The materials comprise oxides of bismuth and at least one additional metal. Preferred laser-markable bismuth-containing oxide compounds are of the formula BixMyOz, where M is at least one metal selected from Zn, Ti, Fe, Cu, Al, Zr, P, Sn, Sr, Si, Y, Nb, La, Ta, Pr, Ca, Mg, Mo, W, Sb, Cr, Ba and Ce, x is from about 0.3 to about 70, y is from about 0.05 to about 8, and z is from about 1 to about 100. The bismuth-containing material may be dispersed in a substrate which is subsequently irradiated by a laser to provide a contrasting mark in the irradiated region.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.