Selecting Arc Flash Label Material

What criteria are used when selecting vinyl for arc flash labels? Is thicker or thinner vinyl better?

In general, the thinner the vinyl the longer its life will be. Vinyl labels fail as result of the label starting to come loose around the edges. The main mechanism is friction resulting from the material edge profile. That means the thicker the label, the greater the edge profile, the sooner the label fails.

There is a trade-off, however. Thicker labels resist friction across the face of the label better. They have more material to wear away before the vinyl wears through in spots. This limits how thin vinyl label material can be.

For general purpose labels, that may be used in a wide variety of environments and applications, a 3.0 mil vinyl provides the longest average life. However, arc flash labels are used in a low wear environment. Added thickness does not result in increased label life. For arc flash labels an vinyl thickness of 2.0 mil provides the maximum life. Thicker vinyls, with greater edge profiles, will tend to have a shorter life and moisture and air begins to work its way under the edge ofthe label.

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