ADDITIONAL EXPOSURES
ALG tests for conditions well beyond just outdoor durability when determining product performance. Our customers demand performance across many harsh environments such as Cooking Oil, Salt Spray, High Temperatures, Low Temperatures, Hydrogen Sulfide, Chemical Resistance and Water Immersion.
ALG spends a tremendous amount of time in performance testing. Below you can see the levels of exposure we duplicate in-house, in-the-field and through external, 3rd party testing to produce quality, durable labels.
COOKING OIL
Commercial cooking equipment that uses oil to fry food has different UL standards requiring specific test parameters the label must pass, starting with an immersion test in 200 degree (Celsius) cooking oil for 48 hours. The labels then are allowed to cool before undergoing a defacement test.
The labels must stay properly adhered to the test surface and not be removed after the defacement test in order to be approved by UL for the suitability of this application.
SALT SPRAY, MARINE EXPOSURE
Marine and coastal outdoor applications are where labels are continually exposed to salt spray. Salt air in itself, can be corrosive for many types of products so choosing the correct material construction is important for long term durability.
Many UL standards require the label pass a 240 hour salt spray booth test to determine suitability for marine environments.
We have customers that require our labels pass 3000-6000 hour salt spray testing, achieved through use of the proper printing process and material selection.
HIGH TEMPERATURES
Curing ovens, cooking equipment and under-hood applications are a small sample of the many high temperature applications we provide labels. It is considered a high temperature application when the service temperature of the label is going to be 200 degrees F or higher.
These service temperatures can go as high as 400 to 500 F based on the specific end use application.
ALG has proven paper and film material construction that can withstand these extreme temperatures without losing print legibility, adhesion or yellowing.
LOW TEMPERATURES
Poultry and produce plants, freezer conditions and winter climates are just a few of the many low temperature applications ALG provides labels.
The most critical component of the material construction for low temperatures is the adhesive. ALG has worked with our raw material suppliers to spec in the most robust adhesives for these extreme cold environments, providing the ability to adhere to even the toughest of surfaces.
With low temperatures also comes moisture and condensation factors which through testing and applications in the field, we have spec materials in a number of paper and films to meet these demands.
IMMERSION, WATER BATH
ALG often has applications requiring the label to
come in contact with water or be immersed in
water for a period of time. UL 969 water
immersion testing is designed to test the
performance of a label after it has been placed in
water for 48 hours at room temperature. The labels are allowed to to dry before a defacement test is performed.
The labels must stay properly adhered to the test surface and not be removed after the defacement test in order to be approved by UL for the suitability of this application. ALG has a number of UL approved label material constructions just for this type of performance.
HYDROGEN SULFIDE ENVIRONMENT
The most common Hydrogen Sulfide Environment is
found on natural gas drilling rigs located offshore.
When the natural gas comes in contact and mixes
with the salt air, it creates a Hydrogen Sulfide Environment. This is a harsh gas/chemical environment that is very abusive to incorrect label material construction.
ALG has worked with material suppliers to understand what effects this environment has on materials and to properly identify the best material construction for the application.
For years, ALG has produced labels for use in this harsh environment without any product failures.
CHEMICAL RESISTANCE
Many of our industrial and commercial customers need performance in environments requiring their labels and decals perform to chemical resistance.
These exposures are some of the toughest needed and ALG is able to provide construction of a label, printing process and finishing options that when combined, provide top rated performance.
Some of the chemical exposures this includes are acetone, xylene and thinners, methyl ethyl ketone (MET), hydraulic fluids, brake fluids, cleaning solutions, degreasers, toluene, oils and fuels.
COOKING OIL
SALT SPRAY,
MARINE EXPOSURE
HIGH TEMPERATURES
LOW TEMPERATURES
IMMERSION,
WATER BATH
HYDROGEN SULFIDE
ENVIRONMENT
CHEMICAL RESISTANCE
For a complete overview of our testing on Additional Exposures, please see our full site.
ALG Labels and Graphics is a custom manufacturer of pressure sensitive labels and decals celebrating over 50 years in business. Our focus is delivering value to our customers with responsive service, quality products and low cost production. Our mission is to make it easy for you to do business with ALG.
3005 4th Avenue South,
Birmingham, Alabama 35233
205.328.0104
(f) 205.328.0123
Copyright 2020 ALG Labels and Graphics