Answers From An Expert

Certain plastic tags may also fail easily. Vinyl for example can embrittle with age, and Tyvek can deteriorate in the weather and blow off. Polyester tags are exceptionally strong and durable, but even polyester tags have limitations in certain environmental conditions. Polyester or vinyls however are typically the best options so long as they are matched to the conditions where either would provide the best performance. Electromark can provide the best recommendation based on our extensive experience with tagging applications. Additionally, Electromark has tag strength enhancing accessories that provide solutions where even the best tag materials cannot provide the durability required of more extreme conditions.

These conditions can include UV degradation from sunlight, chemicals, abrasion, temperature extremes, impact, bending, and even attractiveness to theft due to scrap value. Two of Electromark’s most durable sign materials for these conditions include fiberglass and porcelain.

Electromark’s fiberglass sign carries a 20 year warranty, and has field service history experience supplying it’s fiberglass signs for greater than 25 years with no reported failures. In addition, Electromark’s fiberglass sign offers exceptional chemical resistance, impact resistance, and cold weather performance.

Porcelain enamel signs graphics are composed of a glass-based inorganic pigment mixture stenciled onto the porcelain coated surface. Like the porcelain base coat, each color is fired in a kiln and fuses with the base coat color to become one with the sign. Unlike competitor’s signs that use more common and corrosion prone low-carbon base steel substrate, Electromark exclusively uses non-corrosive stainless steel. Electromark’s porcelain sign carries a 30 year warranty, and porcelain signs can last 50 years or longer. In addition, Electromark’s porcelain signs offer very high heat resistance (1400°F), and exceptional resistance to abrasion/scratching, chemicals, and corrosion.

Contact us with the details of your application and we can recommend the best sign material for your requirements.

1) Surfaces and application conditions can be very different; so special adhesives and label film materials may be required. These may include features such as thicker adhesives that facilitate grater surface contact or adhesives designed to improve initial adhesion in cold temperatures. Factors to be considered include flatness/curvature, surface texture, surface substrate material, service temperature, and application temperature. Contact us with the details of your application and we can recommend the best adhesive and label film combination for your requirements.

2) Proper preparation before applying your label is an important step. Surfaces must be dry and free of wax, oil, grease, dirt, loose particles, or other contaminants. Pressure sensitive adhesives generally require that the surface to which they are adhered be relatively non-porous, smooth textured, and weather resistant. Old and even new surfaces may be contaminated with residues invisible to the eye and should be cleaned with Surface Prep 77TM. Similarly, the applicator should insure that his/her hands are free of oil, dirt, or other contaminating substances.

3) The bond achieved with pressure sensitive adhesives can be improved with firm pressure and builds with time and temperature. Immediately following application placement, Electromark recommends rubbing the entire surface or your decal with a squeegee, roller, or cloth using overlapping strokes and firm pressure. You can typically achieve maximum adhesion with temperatures of 70°F -100°F and after a period up to 72 hours following installation.

Selecting materials properly matched to your application and following proper installation procedures will insure that your label will adhere properly and provide a bond that will last for the life of your label product.