Our polyimide heat and water resistant labels are purpose-built for PCB assembly lines, wave soldering operations, and other industrial processes where labels must survive extreme thermal cycling. These PI film labels withstand continuous exposure up to 320°C without charring, shrinking, or losing adhesion—critical when your labels travel through reflow ovens and lead-free solder profiles. The acrylic adhesive system bonds aggressively to FR-4, aluminum, stainless steel, and other common circuit board substrates, holding through pre-heat, peak temps, and cool-down without edge lift or residue transfer.
Technical Specifications
| Face Stock | Polyimide (PI) film |
| Available Sizes | 6×6mm to 50×30mm (17 standard configurations) |
| Core Size | 40mm ID |
| Continuous Service Temperature | Up to 320°C (608°F) |
| Lamination | Uncoated surface (bare PI) |
| Adhesive Type | Acrylic permanent |
| Liner | Glassine release paper |
| Color | White (natural PI amber) |
| Shape | Rectangle |
| Printing Method | Thermal transfer barcode printers |
| Primary Applications | Industrial electronics, PCB reflow soldering, wave soldering |
Common Applications
- PCB identification through reflow and wave solder
- Circuit board traceability labels
- Electronic component tracking through SMT lines
- Automotive electronics assembly
- Lead-free solder process identification
- High-temperature curing and baking processes
- Aerospace electronics manufacturing
- Power supply and transformer labeling
Performance Features
Extreme Temperature Survivability
Polyimide film maintains dimensional stability and print legibility through thermal profiles that destroy standard label materials. At 320°C continuous service temperature, these heat resistant labels handle lead-free solder reflow peaks (typically 245-260°C), wave solder contact, and extended post-cure baking cycles. The PI substrate doesn’t char, melt, or release adhesive residue onto boards or fixtures, which matters when contamination can cause downstream assembly failures or warranty returns.
Acrylic Adhesive System
The permanent acrylic adhesive is formulated specifically for high-heat environments. It provides immediate tack on FR-4 laminate, conformal-coated boards, anodized aluminum heat sinks, and stainless component housings. Adhesion improves with heat exposure rather than degrading, and the adhesive won’t carbonize or leave residue on boards if labels must be removed for rework. Cold temperature performance remains functional down to -40°C for labels applied in climate-controlled storage before boards enter production.
Thermal Transfer Compatibility
These labels work with standard thermal transfer ribbon formulations—resin ribbons provide the best durability for barcode scanning through multiple thermal cycles. The uncoated PI surface accepts ribbon ink transfer cleanly without smudging or flaking. Use 300 dpi or higher print resolution for small 2D matrix codes on 6×6mm and 10×10mm labels. Compatible with Zebra, TSC, Intermec, SATO, and other industrial thermal transfer printers without special media settings.
Chemical and Moisture Resistance
PI labels resist common electronics manufacturing chemistries: flux residues, isopropyl alcohol cleaning, mild alkaline washes, and temporary solder mask exposure. Water resistance is inherent to the polyimide substrate—labels don’t delaminate or lose print clarity when boards pass through aqueous cleaning systems or humidity stress testing. This combination of heat and water resistance makes them suitable for processes where thermal shock meets wet cleaning.
Heat and Water Resistant Labels Standard Size Chart
| Color | Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Labels per Roll | Across |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | 6 | 6 | 10,000 | 6 |
| White | 7 | 7 | 10,000 | 5 |
| White | 8 | 8 | 10,000 | 5 |
| White | 10 | 10 | 5,000 | 3 |
| White | 13 | 13 | 5,000 | 3 |
| White | 15 | 5 | 5,000 | 2 |
| White | 15 | 10 | 5,000 | 2 |
| White | 15 | 15 | 5,000 | 2 |
| White | 20 | 5 | 5,000 | 2 |
| White | 20 | 10 | 2,000 | 2 |
| White | 20 | 20 | 1,000 | 2 |
| White | 25 | 15 | 2,000 | 2 |
| White | 30 | 15 | 2,000 | 2 |
| White | 35 | 15 | 1,000 | 2 |
| White | 40 | 10 | 2,000 | 2 |
| White | 40 | 20 | 1,000 | 2 |
| White | 50 | 30 | 500 | 1 |
Note: All sizes available on 40mm core. Custom sizes, label counts, and core diameters available on request.
Printing Guidelines
Ribbon Type: Resin or resin-enhanced wax ribbons required. Standard wax ribbons will not survive reflow temperatures.
Print Settings: Medium to high darkness settings (10-15 on most Zebra printers). Slower print speeds (2-4 IPS) improve small-character definition on 6mm and 10mm labels.
Barcode Symbologies: Code 128, Data Matrix, QR codes, and other high-density formats print reliably at 300 dpi. For 6×6mm labels, use Data Matrix or micro QR to maximize data capacity.
Printer Compatibility: Zebra ZT411, ZT421, TSC TTP-2410M, Intermec PM43, SATO CL4NX, and similar industrial thermal transfer models. Desktop printers may struggle with label thickness and ribbon compatibility—verify with manufacturer.