LASER ETCHING OF POLYVINYLCHLORIDE
A laser-markable polyvinylchloride composition is provided which is adapted to undergo reduced or no color change in response to irradiation with a laser beam. The composition contains polyvinylchloride and a discoloration control additive present in an effective amount to reduce or eliminate discoloration caused by laser marking of the polyvinylchloride composition.
1 . A laser-markable polyvinylchloride composition which is adapted to undergo reduced or no color change in response to irradiation with a laser beam, the composition comprising:
polyvinylchloride; and
a discoloration control additive present in an effective amount to reduce or eliminate discoloration caused by laser marking of the polyvinylchloride composition.
2 . The laser-markable polyvinylchloride composition of claim 1 , wherein the discoloration control additive comprises a hydrogen chloride scavenger.
3 . The laser-markable polyvinylchloride composition of claim 1 , wherein the discoloration control additive comprises an antioxidant.
4 . The laser markable polyvinylchloride composition of claim 1 , wherein the discoloration control additive comprises a heat stabilizing agent.
5 . The laser markable polyvinylchloride composition of claim 1 , wherein the discoloration control additive comprises a color control agent.
6 . The laser-markable polyvinylchloride composition of claim 1 , wherein the article is an exterior building component.
7 . The laser-markable polyvinylchloride composition of claim 1 , wherein the laser-marked article is selected from the group consisting of doors and door components, window components, siding, decking and fencing.
8 . A method of making a laser-marked PVC article comprising:
providing a laser-markable polyvinylchloride composition comprising polyvinylchloride and a discoloration control additive present in an effective amount to reduce or eliminate discoloration caused by laser irradiation; and
laser marking the laser-markable polyvinylchloride composition with a laser.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the discoloration control additive comprises a hydrogen chloride scavenger.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the discoloration control additive comprises an antioxidant.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the discoloration control additive comprises a heat stabilizing agent.
12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the discoloration control additive comprises a color control agent.
13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the laser-marked article is selected from the group consisting of doors and door components, window components, siding, decking and fencing.
14 . A laser-marked article formed from a laser-markable polyvinylchloride composition comprising polyvinylchloride and a discoloration control additive present in an effective amount to reduce or eliminate discoloration caused by laser marking of the polyvinylchloride composition.
15 . The laser-marked article of claim 14 , wherein the discoloration control additive comprises a hydrogen chloride scavenger.
16 . The laser-marked article of claim 14 , wherein the discoloration control additive comprises an antioxidant.
17 . The laser-marked article of claim 14 , wherein the discoloration control additive comprises a heat stabilizing agent.
18 . The laser-marked article of claim 14 , wherein the discoloration control additive comprises a color control agent.
19 . The laser-marked article of claim 14 , wherein the laser-marked article is an exterior building component.
20 . The laser-marked article of claim 14 , wherein the laser-marked article is selected from the group consisting of doors and door components, window components, siding, decking and fencing.