Trusted Where Permanent Identification is Critical.
WHAT IS METALPHOTO?
Metalphoto® is photosensitive, anodized aluminum used to make extremely durable, ultra high-resolution nameplates, labels, and control panels with variable data such as barcodes, QR codes or serialized information at scale.
Metalphoto’s durability comes from its archival image – which is sealed inside of the anodized aluminum, providing unmatched resistance to long-term sunlight, saltwater, high-temperature and/or harsh chemical resistance. A US Navy study of 73 materials found Metalphoto to earn the highest possible score on more tests than any other material evaluated.
Its unique, photographic imaging process economically creates a ultra high-resolution graphic and variable information for product identification and asset tracking application such as barcodes/QR codes, anti-conterfeit security and serialized nameplates at a production scale unmatched by other imaging technologies.
Since its development in 1950, Metalphoto has been specified by leading OEMs, military and government organizations for nameplate, label and control panel applications where permanence, resolution, variable data or a combination of those characteristics are required.
Why Use Metalphoto?
Metalphoto’s archival, silver-halide based image is sealed inside of anodized aluminum, making it readable after prolonged exposure to a variety of harsh operating conditions including weather/sunlight, heat, abrasion, chemicals and salt-spray.
The benefit is fewer label, nameplate, sign or control panel replacements due to illegibility – that means guaranteed regulatory compliance, asset identification and brand representation.
Metalphoto’s ability to create hundreds, thousands, even millions of unique labels or nameplates is a function of its unique imaging process.
The benefit of this process is that Metalphoto labels and nameplates can contain “item-unique” serialized data, one of a kind instructions and/or barcodes of any symbology.
Durable barcodes connect assets to cloud-based computer systems, reduce data entry errors and speed the process of identifying assets properly.
- Your label, nameplate or panel will always look crisp and clear – conveying a sense of quality and reliability that will distinguish your brand.
- High-resolution images make it possible to mark small items or surfaces such as firearms or others where a large label is not feasible.
- Optional security printing features such as micro-text and watermarks that verify the authenticity of your product and protect it against fraud and counterfeiting.
Since its introduction in 1950, Metalphoto has proven itself again and again to major OEMs and government organizations. As a result, Metalphoto is specified by most major government, industrial and military organizations including Boeing, Airbus, Caterpillar, Great Dane, Honeywell, BF Goodrich, NASA, and the United States Navy, Army, Air Force and Marines.
When To Use Metalphoto?
Because Metalphoto is resistant to many conditions commonly found in outdoor environments that would erode most identification products printed on other materials, Metalphoto is the perfect material for any nameplates, signs, labels or control panels that need to stand up to harsh outdoor environments, or any project where permanent identification that will remain legible for the life of the product is crucial. See Metalphoto’s durability characteristics below:
Weather/UV Resistance
TESTING
Abrasion Resistance
TESTING
Temperature Resistance
TESTING
Corrosion Resistance
TESTING
Chemical Resistance
TESTING
Metalphoto was immersed in a full battery of chemicals at different temperatures for different lengths of time, all with little to no effect.
View the Full List of Chemicals and Results
*Horizons ISG does not warrant the performance of its materials in any environment.
When your application calls for a material that will remain legible through the harshest of environments, Metalphoto is your go-to material. These industries all trust Metalphoto for their critical identification applications:
Metalphoto Provides Durable Identification for Defense Applications
Metalphoto’s durability comes from its image – which is sealed inside of the anodized aluminum, providing resistance to corrosion, sunlight degradation, abrasion, high temperatures and chemical exposure. Its unique, photographic imaging process supports ultra-high resolution images and variable information – including machine-readable barcodes, anti-counterfeit security features and serialized data.
APPLICATIONS:
INDUSTRY SPECIFICATIONS METALPHOTO MEETS:
- MIL-STD-130N
- MIL-DTL-15024G
- MIL-P-19834B
- A-A-50271 Class-2 Composition C
- Federal Specification GGP-455B(3)
To learn more, please download the Metalphoto Defense data sheet or the Metalphoto Defense case study.
Durable Identification for Aircraft and Aerospace Applications
For over 60 years, engineers have trusted Metalphoto® photosensitive anodized aluminium for extremely durable equipment and process identification items installed in demanding operating environments. Specified by Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, NASA and the United States Department of Defense, Metalphoto is used for applications such as nameplates, barcode labels, maintenance schematics, operator control panels, safety protocols and many others.
APPLICATIONS:
INDUSTRY SPECIFICATIONS METALPHOTO MEETS:
- Boeing Commercial Aircraft Company, Boeing Process Specification BAC5875, Fabrication of Aluminum Markers, Instrument Panels, Drawer Front Panels and Fabrication of Metal and Plastic Appliques
- Lockheed Martin, LMA-PN010, Fabrication of UID Nameplates for Aircraft Items
- BF Goodrich Aerospace, Data Systems Division, Specification SMT0022
- NASA, Johnson Space Center Texas, Space Station Inventory Label Specification – SSP 50007
- Honeywell, Inc., Satellite Systems Operations, Metalphoto approved for use on Space Station, Memorandum A3-J024-M-9501786, Laboratory Case 161311
To learn more, please download the the Metalphoto Aerospace data sheet or the Metalphoto Aerospace case study.
The Intelligent Metalphoto VIN Tag. A 20-Year Tag for a 20-Year Trailer.
The Intelligent Metalphoto® VIN Tag replaces traditional etched plates because of greater durability and optional machine-readable barcodes. Those features create the following benefits for trailer manufacturers and their customers:BENEFITS TO THE TRAILER MANUFACTURER
- Drive aftermarket revenue – digitally link to sources for OEM aftermarket parts and service.
- Enhance your selling proposition – differentiate your trailer from competitors and offers your customers a series of cost-saving benefits (see below).
- Enhance your brand image – feature a crisp, high-resolution brand logo image that lasts the life of your trailer & demonstrates the quality of your brand.
BENEFITS TO THE FLEET OWNER
- Asset Tracking – end manual data entry with an asset-specific barcode, reducing labor and errors associated with trailer intake at transfer stations and maintenance facilities.
- Asset Maintenance – give the operator and mechanic a service history for each trailer, helping to locate OEM-approved replacement parts and reduce downtime through targeted preventative maintenance.
- Little to No Replacement Costs – its image, which is sealed inside of the anodized aluminum, provides resistance to road-salt corrosion, abrasion and other conditions that can obscure traditional etched steel plates.
- Proven Track Record – used by several leading trailer manufacturers already, the Intelligent Metalphoto VIN Tag is already being deployed by leaders in the industry:
Here’s How It Works:
DURABILITY:
The Intelligent Metalphoto VIN Tag’s durability comes from Metalphoto’s photographic image which is sealed inside of the anodized aluminum, providing resistance to:
- Sunlight degradation (20+ years)
- Road-salt corrosion (30 days in chamber)
- Abrasion (7,000 cycles on tabor abrader)
- High temperatures (1,000°F)
- Chemical exposure (diesel fuel, hydraulic fluid and several others)
RESOLUTION:
The Intelligent Metalphoto VIN Tag supports variable data and barcodes because it is a photographic technology. That means:
- Variable data can be embedded in the plate or punched/scribed your location(s)
- Barcodes reduce data entry errors and time – helping your customer track and maintain your product
- Optional two-dimensional QR code can link mechanics to a maintenance history and parts list of OEM-approved aftermarket parts
- Optional anti-counterfeit features such as watermark and micro-print verify authenticity of your product
In addition to VIN Tags, manufactures use Metalphoto for these permeant identification items:
- CSC Safety Approval Plates
- ISO 6346/BIC intermodal shipping container nameplates
- And other durable nameplates, maintenance schematics and labels
To learn more, please download this case study.
Durable Identification for Shipbuilding & Marine Applications
APPLICATIONS:
INDUSTRY SPECIFICATIONS METALPHOTO MEETS:
- Norwegian Marine Technology Research Institute (Marintek) corrosion test of anodized aluminum plates – Metalphoto. Report #23.1011.00.0391,
December 8, 1991. - United States Navy Evaluation of Label Plate Material and Attachment Methods Considered of Use on LPD-17. CARDIVNSWC-TR-62-00-05, June 2005.
- United States Navy NAVSEA Corona Division IUID Center Environmental Survivability Testing Report. August 2011.
- Norwegian Marine Technology Research Institute (Marintek) corrosion test of anodized aluminum plates – Metalphoto. Report #23.1011.00.0391,
To learn more, please download the Metalphoto Marine data sheet or the Metalphoto Marine case study.
Metalphoto Provides Durable Identification for Defense Applications
For over 30 years, oilfield engineers have trusted Metalphoto® photosensitive anodized aluminium for extremely durable equipment and process identification items installed in demanding on-shore and off-shore operating environments as well as renewable energy systems. Specified by National Oilwell Varco, Seatrax and the United States Navy, Metalphoto material is used for applications such as barcode labels, maintenance schematics, machine control panels, safety protocols and many others.
APPLICATIONS:
INDUSTRY SPECIFICATIONS METALPHOTO MEETS:
- Norwegian Marine Technology Research Institute (Marintek) corrosion test of anodized aluminum plates – Metalphoto. Report #23.1011.00.0391, December 8, 1991.
- United States Navy Evaluation of Label Plate Material and Attachment Methods Considered of Use on LPD-17. CARDIVNSWC-TR-62-00-05, June 2005.
- United States Navy NAVSEA Corona Division IUID Center Environmental Survivability Testing Report. August 2011.
Durable Identification for Heavy Equipment Applications
APPLICATIONS:
INDUSTRY SPECIFICATIONS METALPHOTO MEETS:
- Federal Specification GGP-455B(3)
- MIL-DTL-15024G
- MIL-STD-130N
To learn more, please download the Metalphoto Heavy Equipment data sheet.
HOW TO GET METALPHOTO?
More About Metalphoto?
Specifications
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Performance Properties
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Note: Users must test products in the environment in which they are expected to function. ISG does not warrant the performance of its products in untested applications.