Marking coating

Abstract

A composition for allowing marking of a product, the composition comprising: (a) a volatile solvent; (b) a silicone resin comprising a trifunctional unit of formula (R)SiO 3/2 , wherein R is chosen, independently by trifunctional unit, from hydrocarbyl groups and hydroxyl groups, on the condition that at least one R is a hydrocarbyl group; and, (c) titanium dioxide particles having an average size of between approximately 100 nanometers and 1000 nanometers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition for allowing marking of a product, the composition comprising
 a volatile solvent;   a silicone resin comprising a trifunctional unit of formula (R)SiO 3/2 , wherein R is chosen, independently by trifunctional unit, from hydrocarbyl groups and hydroxyl groups, on the condition that at least one R is a hydrocarbyl group; and,   titanium dioxide particles having an average size of between approximately 100 nanometers and 1000 nanometers.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a dispersing agent, a wetting agent, a humectant, an anti-settling agent, an ultraviolet tracer, and a surfactant. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the titanium dioxide particles exhibit at least one of a white color and a red color. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the titanium dioxide particles comprise rutile crystalline titanium dioxide particles. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the titanium dioxide particles have an average size of between approximately 200 nanometers and 300 nanometers. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the titanium dioxide particles have an oil absorption number higher than 30 grams of oil per 100 grams of titanium dioxide particles. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the volatile solvent comprises at least one of an alkanol, an ester, a ketone, a polyol, an ether, and an alcohol. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the volatile solvent comprises between 10 weight percent and 90 weight percent of the composition. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the volatile solvent comprises between 40 weight percent and 80 weight percent of the composition. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the volatile solvent comprises between 50 weight percent and 70 weight percent of the composition. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a lesser volatile solvent having a vapor pressure an order of magnitude less than the volatile solvent. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is resistant to discoloration at temperatures greater than 350° C. 
     
     
         13 . A method of marking an object, the method comprising
 producing a coating formulated from:
 a volatile solvent, 
 a silicone resin comprising a trifunctional unit of formula (R)SiO3/2, wherein R is chosen, independently by trifunctional unit, from hydrocarbyl groups and hydroxyl groups, on the condition that at least one R is a hydrocarbyl group, and 
 titanium dioxide particles having an average size of between approximately 100 nanometers and 1000 nanometers; 
   applying the coating to an object; and,   creating an indicia where the coating was applied.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the step of applying the coating to the object includes diffusing the coating into the object prior to the step of creating the indicia;   the object comprises a ceramic substrate; and,   the coating is resistant to discoloration at temperatures greater than 350° C.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the ceramic substrate comprises a porous cordierite having a honeycomb shape. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the step of creating the indicia where the coating was applied includes using laser marking to create the indicia; and,   the laser marking is carried out using at least one of a carbon dioxide laser, an infrared laser, and an ultraviolet laser.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of applying the coating and the step of creating the indicia are collectively performed in under thirty seconds. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of applying the coating to the object includes at least two of pad printing, spraying, inkjet printing, laser marking, and screen printing the coating to the object. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of producing the coating includes adding at least one of a dispersing agent, a wetting agent, a humectant, an anti-settling agent, a ultraviolet tracer, and a surfactant to the volatile solvent, silicone resin, and titanium dioxide particles. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the step of producing the coating includes adding a lesser volatile solvent to the volatile solvent, silicone resin, and titanium dioxide particles; and,   the lesser volatile solvent has a vapor pressure an order of magnitude less than the volatile solvent.