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?

The Confidence of Legibility.
The Confidence of Legibility.

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.

Variable Information Capability Means…
Automated asset tracking, guaranteed traceability, fewer data entry errors and faster processing.

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.

Photographic Resolution Image Means…
High-resolution graphic capability and optional security printing features
The benefits of photographic resolution are three-fold:
  • 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.
Proven Performance Means…
The Confidence of Legibility.

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

A 400 hour Weatherometer Test GG-P-455P, which is the estimated equivalent to 20 years of outdoor exposure, had no affect on Metalphoto.

Abrasion Resistance

TESTING

7000 cycles on a Taber Abraser with a CS17 wheel, a total of 1000 gm. load, only resulted in a slight dulling of Metalphoto’s surface; the image was not affected.

Temperature Resistance

TESTING

Standard Metalphoto readable up to 500°F, Image Intensified Metalphoto readable up to 800°F. Both tested for a 24-hour oven exposure. Inquire for heat resistance up to 1,000°F.

Corrosion Resistance

TESTING

Exposure to 5% salt spray as 95°F for 700 hours had no effect on Metalphoto.

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:

More About Metalphoto?

Specifications

Military/Government Specifications Organization Description
Industry Specifications Organization Description
Independent Specifications Organization Description

Performance Properties

Characteristic Result

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.

Resources

Data Sheets Description
Case Studies / White Papers Description
Industry Sheets Description
Webinars / Presentations Description
Press Releases / Articles Description

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