Thermal Paper Technology
Thermal paper is used today in an ever increasing number of applications such as point of sales receipts, admission, transportation and lottery tickets, medical records, baggage tags, postage stamps, fax paper, delivery and food retailing labels, to name but a few.
A thermal paper consists of a base paper and a coating comprising a layer of heat-sensitive chemicals known as the Thermal Layer.
The thermal layer contains a mixture of three key components - color former, color developer and sensitizer. Upon application of heat energy from a thermal print head, the sensitizer melts bringing together the color former and color developer thus forming an image.
Usually there are other separate coatings present on the thermal paper, for example:
- Pre-Coat – an insulating layer that improves the thermal sensitivity of the paper
- Top Coat – an optional protective coating that offers protection against abrasion, environmental influences and certain chemicals
- Back Barrier – an optional coating that prevents the penetration of substances such as adhesives from the back of the paper.
Thermal Paper Technology
Products for Thermal Paper Applications
Color Formers
- Ciba® PERGASCRIPT® Black T-2R / T-2R SM
can be used in almost all grades of thermal paper, has good thermal sensitivity and produces an intense black image with good background stability.
- Ciba® PERGASCRIPT® Black T-R
is used mainly in specialist grades of thermal paper, has good thermal sensitivity and produces an intense black image with good stability.
Color Developer
Ciba® PERGAFAST® 201
produces a thermal image with excellent stability towards fats, oils and plasticiszers without top coating. Particularly suitable for use in thermal papers where image durability is essential, for example, bank statements, lottery tickets, medical records admission/transportation tickets.
- Provides excellent background whiteness
- Produces intense black image
|
