Photosensitive Aluminum

Advanced Design fabricates highly durable Metalphoto® photosensitive aluminum labels, UID Labels, control panels and schematic diagrams in accordance with a variety of government specifications. We offer a full range of thicknesses and finishes and can screen print background colors and boarders using translucent inks for specific applications such as red-light rooms, etc.

We are ITAR Registered and Compliant!

Metalphoto® is photosensitive, anodized aluminum used to make durable, high-resolution nameplates, labels, control panels, and signs.

Metalphoto’s durability comes from its image – which is sealed inside of the anodized aluminum, providing resistance to corrosion, sunlight, abrasion, high temperatures and chemical exposure.

Since 1950, Metalphoto® has been trusted by leading OEMs, military and government organizations for applications that require one or more of Metalphoto’s unique combination of features, including:

Durable Construction

Metalphoto’s silver-halide based image is sealed inside of anodized aluminum, making it readable after prolonged exposure to harsh operating conditions including weather/sunlight, heat, abrasion, chemicals & salt-spray.

Variable Information Capability

Metalphoto® labels and nameplates support item-unique serialize data, one-of-a-kind instructions or barcodes of any symbology that reduce data entry errors and speed asset tracking.

Photographic Resolution

Metalphoto’s high image resolution makes it possible to mark small items or surfaces and provides the option of security printing features such as micro-text and watermarks.

 

Proven Performance

Metalphoto® has proven itself again and again to major OEMs and government organizations. As a result, most major government, industrial and military organizations specify Metalphoto®.

Product Characteristics:

  • Material: anodized aluminum (1100 alloy)
  • Sizes: 10" x 12", 12" x 20", 20" x 24", 20" x 40", 24" x 40"
  • Thicknesses: .003", .005", .008", .012", .020", .032", .039", .063", .090", .125"

Performance Characteristics:

Abrasion Resistance:  No pronounced image loss, degradation or reduced readability after 7,000 cycles on an abrading wheel.

Acid Corrosion: No deterioration or image degradation after 24 hours in 3% nitric acid

Heat Resistance: No legibility loss or degradation when subjected to 1,000°F.

Salt Spray Corrosion: No deleterious effect after a 720-hr salt spray (fog) test. 2,6 “Very Good” corrosion resistance after 113 days seawater exposure. 

Accellerated Light & Weather Resistance: No pronounced deterioration of legibility after 400-hr carbon arc weatherometer exposure. (Estimated 20+ year outdoor life)

Accelerated Oxygen Aging: No discoloration or fading after 96-hr/300 psi/ 70°C oxygen bomb aging.

Stain Resistance: No black fading when plates are exposed to tincture of iodine.

Cleaning Resistance: No deleterious effects when tested with alkaline cleaners (MILC- 87937 or equivalent) for aircraft surfaces.

Low Temperature Resistance: No deleterious effect or image fade after 1 hour at -50°F. No impairment of legibility upon exposure at -67°F.

Organic Solvent Resistance: No softening, staining or noticeable fade after 24-hr exposure to: JP-4 fuel, Gasoline, Mineral Spirits, Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Turpentine, Turbine & Jet Fuel, Kerosene, Xylol, Acetone, Toluol, Heptane, Trichlorethylene, MIL-H-5606 Hydraulic Fluid and MIL-L-7808 Jet Engine Oil.

Fungus Resistance: Visual reading of “0” per ASTM-G21.

Thermal Shock: No deterioration after 3 cycles between -65°C and 125°C.

Moisture Resistance: No deterioration after 10 humidity cycles per MIL-STD-202, method 106.

Finishes:

Matte - Non-reflective with dull finish

Satin - Semi-gloss medium reflective material.

#4 - Brushed to resemble a stainless steel finish.

Gloss - Highly reflective; mirror-like.

Specified by Government, Industrial and Military Organizations for Over 65 Years:

  • MIL-DTL-19834C
  • MIL-P-6906B
  • MIL-A-8625F
  • SAE-AMS-QQ-A-250/1
  • UL/REACH/RoHS Certified
  • Federal Specification GGP-455B
  • MIL-DTL-15024F
  • MIL-STD-130
  • MIL-P-19834B
  • A-A-50271 Class-2 Composition C