Temperature stickers are temperature monitors that consist of one or more tiny heat-sensitive indicators that are sealed under heat-resistant windows. Heat temperature-sensitive color-changing sticker changes the way it looks when the heat is applied to it. With a change in look, they appear appealing and catch the attention of people easily.
Another variation of the phase-change indicators is the temperature sensitive label. These adhesive backed monitors consist of one or more heat sensitive indicators sealed under transparent, heat-resistant windows. The centers of these indicators turn from white to black at the temperature ratings as shown on the label face. This color change, caused by the temperature-sensitive substance being absorbed into its backing material, is irreversible. After registering the temperature history of the workpiece, the exposed monitor label can then be removed and affixed to a service report to remain part of a permanent record.
Use of Color Changing Stickers
They are useful for:
- promotional pieces or labels,
- gas level indicators,
- body thermometers,
- industries requiring temperature monitoring.
The Best Way to Store Your Heat Temperature Sensitive Color-Changing Sticker
Heat temperature-sensitive color changing stickers have become very popular in today’s market. Here is the best way to ensure the durability of your thermochromic stickers:
Storage, Validity, and Packaging
- The thermochromic pigments used in making these stickers are not very good at light-fastness. Whenever these stickers are exposed to the sun, the ink starts to fade and become unavailing. Hence, it is better to use these stickers indoors, than to use them outdoors. Therefore, in order to preserve the life of the sticker, avoid exposing it to strong sunlight and also ultraviolet light.
- For these heat-sensitive materials, the color state’s heating stable property is far better than the discolor state. Additionally, if the temperature exceeds 80 degrees, the organic matter’s discoloration will start degrading. So, you should avoid storing the color pigments long-term over 75 degrees.
- These stickers should be stored and packaged with normal storage circumstances and are to be valid for 12 months.
Notice
- Test a sample of the sticker first before embarking on mass production.
- The heat sensitive color changing stickers should be packaged properly and sealed. Be sure to keep the stickers in a dry place. Do not store them in a wet place or somewhere that has a high temperature.
How to Make Color Changing Stickers Using Heat Sensitive Powde
Making these color changing stickers with heat-sensitive powder is really easy. Once you get the materials needed, you will have your stickers in a couple of minutes.
Materials Needed
- Temperature-sensitive powder (you can find it easily on science-related websites)
- Adhesive paper
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Thin permanent marker
- Fill pencil markers
- A small disposal cup
- Acrylic paint
- Small stick (like a toothpick)
- Small paintbrush
- Clear (transparent) tape
- Scissors
- Some water
Step 1
- Get an adhesive paper. Draw a sketch of the images or characters you intend to turn into a heat-sensitive color changing sticker on it.
- Redraw the lines on the sketch with a thin permanent marker.
- Erase the pencil lines with an eraser.
- Decide on the part of the image to change color.
- Use different colors of fill pencil markers to paint different parts of the image or character. These parts should be places you do not want to be affected by the change in color. You can use more than one color of pencil marker for different parts.
Step 2
- Get a small disposable plastic cup and mix the powder with any color of acrylic paint you want in it. Start by placing a little of the acrylic paint in the cup, then stir well with a small stick. Then add some of the temperature-sensitive powder to the paint, and use the same stick to stir the mixture properly.
- Stir in a few drops of water to reduce the thickness of the mixture.
- Use a small paintbrush to apply the mixture to the parts of the image that you want to change color. Do this neatly and carefully so it does not touch the other parts of the image. Apply as many different colors as you need to make it opaque, then allow it to dry completely.
- Place the clear tape on top of the character or any design. Then cut them out with a pair of scissors. When cutting, you can decide to leave a little bit of paper around the images or just trim the excess.
- You can place your palm over them for some time to test whether they are sensitive to heat. If they change color when you take off your palm, it means success.
An less costly and much simpler methods to measure temperature
When the need arises for measuring temperatures in various industrial situations, most engineers think in terms of expensive electronic temperature measuring equipment. In many cases, though, you can do the job with less costly and much simpler methods. When the need is only for an indication that a pre-determined temperature has or has not been reached, heat-sensitive materials in the form of crayons, paints, pellets, or labels can do the job readily, inexpensively, and accurately enough for most industrial applications.
These heat-sensitive, fusible materials consist of crystalline solids. When heated, a temperature will be reached in which the solids change sharply to a liquid. The melting point is reproducible and is virtually unaffected by ambient conditions that may cause errors with other temperature-sensing methods. For example, electrical means of measuring temperatures often function erratically in the presence of static electricity, electrical “noise” or ionized air near electrical equipment.
