Revised August 23 2007 Brother Industries, Ltd. Printing & Solutions Company Based on 6th Edition TZ and SZ Tape Durability

Tested properties: ａ． strength ｂ． under exposure to heat and cold ｃ． Adhesion under exposure to high temperatures and high humidity ｄ． Adhesion to various materials and types of surfaces ｅ． Chemical/solvent resistance ｆ． Abrasion resistance ｇ． Light resistance ｈ． Adhesion to curved surfaces * For SZ tape(RFID), when the tape was affixed to some metallic adherend (Stainless Steel etc.), It was occurred the obstruction in magnetic field. Therefore, it became to be impossible to communicate. So, the glass plate was used as a substitute for some metallic plates at some test.

*Hereafter please read “Refill” tape as “AL” or “AV” tape since this thermal refill tape is available only in Japan.

*The following “Recyclable paper tape”(Non-Laminated TZ Tape) is used in Japan alone.

ａ． Adhesion characteristics After affixing 12-mm-wide tape to each adherend at room temperature, the adhesive strength was measured when the tape was peeled off at an angle of 180 degrees. (The experiment procedure was compliant with adhesive tape experiment procedures JIS Z 0237.)

Adherend Stainless Glass PVC Acrylic Polypropylene Polyester-Coa Steel ted Wood Tape Type

Laminated Standard 7.6 7.2 8.6 6.9 3.3 6.4 Tape Extra Strength Ad 10.0 10.1 11.5 11.5 7.4 11.5

Flexible ID 7.6 6.4 7.8 7.0 6.2 6.6

Security 2.8 4.3 － － － － TZ Non- Heat-Sensitive 8.1 7.3 Breakage of 7.8 6.1 7.4 Laminated Refill base material Tape Recyclable paper Breakage of Breakage of Breakage of Breakage of Breakage of Breakage of tape base material base material base material base material base material base material

Laminated SZ RFID tag label 7.7* 7.5 13.9 9.5 3.8 8.2 Tape * When the tape was affixed to stainless steel , it became to be impossible to communicate. [N /12mm]

TZ Tape Based on the above results, an adhesive strength of approximately 6N/12 mm was maintained with most materials. However, materials such as propylene, where it is difficult to affix the standard tape, produced lower values. The adhesive characteristics are largely dependant on the adherend. However, we believe that the tape is suitable for normal applications. is designed to leave a tamper-evident checkerboard pattern when it is peeled off the adherend after being affixed. When the adhesive strength was measured, this same feature was observed and the measured adhesive strength seemed smaller. However, it cannot be concluded that the adhesive strength of security tape is weaker when compared with that of other laminated tapes. Industrial tape maintained an average of 50% more adhesive strength, compared with the standard laminated tape. In particular, it can be concluded that there was improved adhesion to polypropylene, onto which it is difficult to affix adhesive tape. Since the base material of the heat-sensitive refill tape is constructed of paper, not a film, the base material may break and remain on the adherend if the tape is not peeled off slowly. In addition, the paper base material makes the tape flexible, which resulted in adhesive strength measurements higher than that of other laminated tape. However, in the actual peeling experiment, as shown in “d. Adhesion to various materials and types of surfaces”, there was a less favorable trend, compared with laminated tape, when affixed to materials where adhesion is difficult. Recyclable paper tape is paper based material, and thickness (material and adhesive) is so thin (about 60 ㎛).Therefore, base material was broken, so, it is too difficult to test the adhesive strength. In fact, it has already confirmed that it is sufficient to affix to the paper on the peeling experiment, and as shown in “d. Adhesion to various materials and types of surfaces”, there was a more favorable trend, compared with Heat-Sensitive Refill tape. However, there was a less favorable trend, compared with laminated tape, when affixed to materials where adhesion is difficult. SZ Tape (RFID) SZ Tape was observed that an adhesive strength of approximately 6N/12mm was maintained with most materials as same as TZ Tape. However, as shown in “d. Adhesion to various materials and types of surfaces”, because of the tape flexible, there was a little bit less favorable trend, compared with laminated tape, when affixed to materials where adhesion is difficult. In addition, SZ Tape is unusable on some metallic adherend (Stainless Steel etc.), because it became to be impossible to communicate by the obstruction in magnetic field.

ｂ． Adhesion under exposure to heat and cold After affixing 12-mm-wide tape to stainless steel at room temperature, the condition of the tape was observed after it was exposed to high temperatures and low temperatures for specified lengths of time. (A stands for tape was peeling. B stands for tape was yellowing.) Experiment Conditions 200℃ 150℃ 100℃ 50℃ 0℃ -30℃ -80℃ (Temperature and Time) 2 hours 2 hours 10 days 10 days 10 days 3 days 3 days

A B A B A B A B A B A B A B

*1 *1 *1 Laminated Standard ○ х ○ △ ○ △ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Tape *1 *1 *1 *3 *3 *3 *3 Extra Strengt ○ х ○ △ ○ △ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ *1 *1 *1 Flexible ID ○ х ○ △ ○ △ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ *2 *2 *2 TZ Security ○ х ○ △ ○ △ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Non- Cannot be Cannot be Cannot be Heat-Sensitive Refill ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Laminated used used used ○ ○ Tape Recyclable paper *1 х *1 х *1 х ○ tape ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

RFID tag label ○*1 х ○*1 △ ○*1 △ ○*3 ○ ○*3 ○ ○*3 ○ ○*3 ○ Laminated SZ Tape Communication *4 *4 *5 х ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ characteristic *1 When used under extremely high temperatures, some tape yellowing or peeling of the laminate film may be observed, or some adhesive may remain on the adherend when the tape is peeled off. *2 When used under extremely high temperatures, some tape yellowing or peeling of the laminate film may be observed, or the checkerboard pattern may not remain on the adherend when the tape is peeled off. *3 Some adhesive remained on the adherend when the tape was peeled off. *4 It was not observed the trouble of communication characteristic. But this environment is not recommend because it is non-guaranteed to use RFID tags under more than 70℃. *5 SZ tape is unusable on some metallic adherend, because it was occurred the obstruction in magnetic field. So, the glass plate was used as a substitute for some metallic plates.

TZ tape When the tape was exposed to low temperatures, no changes were observed in the adhesive characteristics or the material properties. However, due to the properties of the adhesive, it was difficult to affix the tape within an environment at an extremely low temperature (instead of at room temperature). When exposed to high temperatures, no peeling of the tape was observed. However, as described in the footnotes, in extremely high temperatures, some tape yellowing and peeling at the ends of the laminate cover film was observed, and some adhesive remained on the adherend when the tape was peeled off. Nevertheless, the printed characters did not become illegible. With heat-sensitive refill tape, the printed characters (areas where the color of the tape base has changed) became illegible when the tape was exposed to high temperatures. Therefore, this type of tape should not be used in temperatures above 60 °C. In addition, there was a tendency for flexible ID tape to yellow more easily, as compared to the standard laminated tape.

SZ tape (RFID) SZ Tape was presented about the same feature of TZ Tape. But it is not recommend to use RFID tags under more than 70℃. Because it is non-guaranteed.

ｃ． Adhesion under exposure to high temperatures and high humidity After affixing 12-mm-wide tape to stainless steel at room temperature, the condition of the tape was observed after it was exposed to a high temperature and high humidity for a specified length of time.

40 °C, 5% Saline 50 °C and 90% Experiment Conditions 40 °C, Distilled water solution Environment

Time Period 24 hours 24 hours 96 hours

Laminated Standard ○ ○ ○ Tape Extra Strength Adh ○ ○ ○ Flexible ID ○ ○ ○ TZ Security ○ ○ ○ Non- Heat-Sensitive Refill × × - Laminated Tape Recyclable paper tape ○ ○ ○

Laminated RFID tag label Tape ○ ○ ○ SZ Communication *1 ○ ○ ○ characteristic *1 SZ tape is unusable on some metallic adherend, because it was occurred the obstruction in magnetic field. So, the glass plate was used as a substitute for some metallic plates.

TZ Tape In either environment, no changes were observed in the adhesive characteristics or the material properties. However, the printed characters on heat-sensitive refill tape changed color and became illegible. Therefore, this type of tape should not be used in environments exposed to high temperatures and high humidity. SZ Tape (RFID) SZ Tape was not also observed the trouble of Communication characteristic.

ｄ． Adhesion to various materials and types of surfaces After affixing 12-mm-wide tape to various types of roughened , the condition of the tape was observed after it was left at room temperature for 2 weeks. Adherend Conditions PE PP POM PS PA PC ABS (Material and Surface Condition) Standard ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Extra Strength Adhe ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎ Laminated Flexible ID ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Tape Security ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ TZ “Checkerboard ▲ ▲ ▲ ○ ○ ○ ○ Appearance Non-Laminated Heat-Sensitive Refill × × × ○ ○ ○ ○ Tape Recyclable paper tape △ △ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Laminated *1 *1 *1 SZ RFID tag label △ △ △ ○ ○ △ ○ Tape Material: PE=Polyethylene PP=Polypropylene POM=Polyacetal PS=Polystyrene PA=Polyamide PC=Polycarbonate ABS= Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Surface Roughness: Sample No. TH-115 of TANAZAWA HAKKOSHA CO.,LTD. (no gloss) corresponding. Results: ◎ = Even though the tape seems like it can be peeled off, it is strongly affixed to the point where it cannot easily be peeled off. ○ = No tape peeling was observed, and the checkerboard pattern of the security tape was observed. ○*1= Only a few peeling may be observed in the part of IC chip. ▲ = Some tape peeling was observed, and a poor checkerboard pattern from the security tape was observed. △ = Some tape peeling may be observed. TZ Tape With some surface conditions and some olefin adherend materials, such as PE and PP, from which general adhesive tapes easily peel off, some peeling may have occurred or no tamper-evident checkerboard pattern was observed with security tape. However, with other materials, nothing particularly abnormal was observed. Since the results of the tape usage is affected by the material of the adherend, its surface condition, whether it is greasy, dusty, rough or curved, and the environmental conditions, a test piece should be affixed to an inconspicuous location. Heat-sensitive tape should not be affixed to PE, PP or POM. With recyclable paper tape, A little peeling was observed. Considering the application of this tape, the above result is no problem. Adhesiveness of recyclable paper tape is better than Heat-Sensitive Refill. SZ Tape (RFID) With SZ Tape, because of the tape flexible, it is subject to be peeled, compared with laminated tape. However, Using for smooth surface is no problem.

ｅ． Chemical/solvent resistance The condition of the tape was observed after it was affixed to glass and immersed in each of the various chemicals/solvents for 2 hours at room temperature and after it was wiped with cloth soaked in each of the chemicals/solvents.

Type of Ethyl Mineral 0.1N 0.1N Chemical/ Toluene Hexane Ethanol Acetone Water Acetate Spirits HCl NaOH Solvent

Standard Immersed ▲ ○ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ○ ○ ○ laminated/ (2 hours) Extra Strength

Adhesive/ Wiped ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ TZ Flexible ID Heat-Sensitive Immersed × × × × × × △ × × Refill (2 min.)

Recyclable Immersed ○*1 ○*1 ○*1 ○*1 ○*1 ○*1 ▲ ×× ×× paper tape (2 hours)

SZ Immersed ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ (2 min.) RFID tag label Immersed ▲ ▲ ○ ▲ ▲ ▲ ○ ○ ○ (2 hours) Wiped ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Communication Immersed ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ characteristic (2 hours) *1 Peeling was not observed, but some adhesive may remain on the adherend when the tape is peeled off. ○= No problem. ▲= After immersion in the chemical/solvent, some peeling at the ends of the laminate cover film was observed and some adhesive remained on the adherend after the tape was peeled off. △= Some loss in the printed color sections was observed after immersion. ×= The printed characters changed color and became illegible. ××= Peeling was observed from adherend after various of chemical and solvent.

TZ Tape When tapes were immersed in the various chemicals/solvents, some peeling at the ends of the laminate cover film was observed and some adhesive remained on the adherend when the tape was peeled off. However, the printed characters did not become illegible. When the surface of the tape was rubbed with a cloth soaked in the chemicals/solvents, the laminate protected the printed surface, and no changes were observed. This implies that, except under extreme conditions of immersion in chemicals/solvents, the laminate structure can be advantageous in maintaining high durability. However, with heat-sensitive refill tape, the printed characters changed color and became illegible. Therefore, this type of tape should not be exposed to chemicals/solvents. The material of recyclable paper tape is paper, so there is a tendency to peel more easily in water and acidic/alkaline aqueous solution. Because of using the adhesive of a soluble form alkaline, recyclable paper tape should not be used in using at the environment of water and especially alkaline aqueous solution adheres to the tape.

SZ Tape (RFID) SZ Tape was presented about the same feature of TZ Tape, except under extreme conditions of immersion in chemicals/solvents; the laminate structure can be advantageous in maintaining high durability. About communication characteristic, it is no problem to immerse for 2 hours. However, if this tape was immersed for more 2 hours, it is possible to become be not to communicate by impinging on the part of IC chip.

ｆ． Abrasion resistance The condition of the tape was observed after an abrasive rubber eraser was used to scrape back and forth across the surface of the tape fifty times with a 1 kg load applied.

Abrasion resistance Standard ○ Extra Strength Adhesi ○ Laminated Tape Flexible ID ○ TZ Security ○

Non- Heat-Sensitive Refill △ Laminated Tape Recyclable paper tape △

RFID tag label ○ SZ Laminated Tape Communication characteristic ○ ○: Printing quality was not changed. △: It was observed some blots and thin spots by scraping. ×: The printed characters became illegible.

TZ Tape Since the surfaces of standard laminated tape, security tape, industrial tape and flexible ID tape are protected with a laminate cover film, the film can be slightly damaged without causing the printed characters to become illegible. This implies that the laminate structure can be advantageous in maintaining high durability against most external forces, not only abrasive rubber erasers. However, since the heat-sensitive refill tape is not protected with a cover film, it should not be used where the surface of the tape would be rubbed, otherwise some of the printed characters may be removed or the tape base may change color. Because recyclable paper tape is not protected with a cover film as well as the heat-sensitive refill tape, in some cases, the printed characters to become illegible by slightly damaged. So, it should not be used where the surface of the tape would be rubbed. SZ Tape (RFID) As well as TZ laminated tape, SZ Tape is utilized the advantages of the laminate structure, SZ Tape has high durability of the printed characters.

ｇ． Light resistance The tape was affixed to stainless steel and exposed to simulated outdoor conditions so that the changes in the color of the tape base could be observed. The change in color is expressed as ΔE..

Testing Apparatus Fade Meter Sunshine Weather-o-meter Testing Period 20 hours 50 hours 100 hours 100 hours 200 hours 400 hours Standard Transparent 0.09 0.06 0.26 1.94 2.58 3.78 White 0.78 1.54 1.40 2.36 2.70 3.59 Red 0.52 0.86 0.80 6.29 11.34 19.02 Blue 0.59 0.92 1.39 1.84 3.11 4.76 Yellow 1.45 2.63 3.34 7.40 12.12 36.29 Green 0.52 0.91 1.10 1.08 1.49 1.97 Fluorescent orange 4.06 6.55 8.68 8.61 11.88 15.59 Fluorescent yellow 5.45 8.23 10.69 4.96 4.95 24.53 Fluorescent green 4.40 6.07 8.95 7.73 9.59 8.92 Black 0.25 0.15 0.33 0.59 1.62 2.08 Extra Strength White 0.78 1.54 1.40 2.36 2.70 3.59 Recyclable paper White 3.44 4.19 3.98 1.93 3.39 3.89 tape

Testing Table Sun Apparatus Area Printed Section Unprinted Section (Base) Measured Testing 25 hours 50 hours 100 hours 200 hours 25 hours 50 hours 100 hours 200 hours Period Heat-Sensitive Refill 25.6 55.0 64.1 66.8 14.8 18.9 13.8 9.0 Recyclable paper tape 8.57 13.7 12.3 12.8 0.29 0.49 0.45 0.47

・ The above table shows the degree to which the color of the tape base changes (in color difference ΔE) after various lengths of time have passed, as compared to the color before the beginning of the experiment. A larger value indicate a larger change. ・ It is extremely difficult to assume a correlation between the experiment results and the actual effects of sunlight, wind and rain. However, the assumed correlations are as follows: Fade meter (outdoors):100 hours -> Equivalent to one year of solar radiation Sunshine weather-o-meter (outdoors):400 hours -> Equivalent to one year in the outdoors, exposed to wind and rain Table Sun (indoors): 200 hours -> Equivalent to one year indoors Experiments simulating the passing of one year were performed with each testing apparatus. However, the measurements taken after 50 hours and 100 hours are not necessarily considered equivalent to half the period of 100 hours and 200 hours.

The red, yellow and fluorescent-colored tapes showed the most significant color changes, as compared to that of the other colors. (Generally, these colors have weaker light resistance, and fading is more easily visible, such as with road signs using these colors.) No large color changes were observed with other tape colors. In addition, no changes to the printed characters were observed with any tape color, including those mentioned above with significant tape color changes. Heat-sensitive refill tape should not be used outdoors where it would be exposed to direct sunlight, or indoors near a window or where it would be exposed to fluorescent light for long periods of time. With recyclable paper tape, Unprinted Section (Base) was yellowed. But the printed characters ware not erased at all. h． Adhesion to curved surfaces (rods or overlapped) and flagging properties Tape peeling was observed after tape was wrapped around an φ8 mm SUS pole (rod) and a φ3 mm PVC tube (overlapping) and affixed to form a flag (flagging), then left at room temperature for an extended period of time. * For SZ Tape, the glass pole was used as a substitute for some SUS pole at this test.

Rod Overlapping Flag

(φ8) (φ25) (φ50) (φ3) (φ3) Laminated Standard △ ○ ○ × × Tape Extra Strength Adhesive △ ○ ○ × △ TZ Flexible ID ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Security △ ○ ○ × ×

Laminated RFID tag label × △ ○ - - SZ Communication × ○ ○ - - Tape characteristic ○: No peeling △: Some peeling

×: Completely peeled off

A

B C

Rod Overlapping Flagging TZ Tape With standard laminated tape and industrial tape, the affixed tape peeled off or the cover film peeled off the tape. This tendency was observed most obviously when the tape was affixed to cables and tubes with small diameters. Flexible ID tape has improved adhesion to curved surfaces, compared to that of other tapes. It is possible to affix the Flexible ID tape to φ3 tubes and cables. * Overlapping needs at least 5mm. SZ Tape (RFID) When the SZ Tape was overlapped, it became to be impossible to communicate. So, it is unusable at the small curved surface.

Notes １． Various tapes of different types were used to perform these experiments, and the results may have differed slightly, depending on the type of tape. ２． The actual experiment results were acquired under specific conditions, and this information was gathered with the principal aim of providing information. The strength, safety and numerical data cannot be guaranteed. ３． Since the results of the tape usage is affected by the material of the adherend, its surface condition, whether it is greasy, dusty, rough or curved, and the environmental conditions, a test piece should be affixed to an inconspicuous location. ４．We accept no responsibility for injuries or losses resulting from the use of these tapes.