Brady B-797: Thermal Transfer Printable Glossy White Polyimide Label Stock

B-797 is a glossy white polyimide label stock with a permanent acrylic adhesive, printed by thermal transfer, intended for printed circuit board (PCB) and electronic component pre-process labeling. A footnote on the sheet states that B-797 is not recommended for outdoor use. It is designed to withstand multiple cycles of harsh condition washes for printed circuit boards, but for through hole technology processes where the label goes on the bottom side of the PCB and may take physical contact (for example wave solder), especially above 260°C, Brady recommends testing in your specific process.

Orderable Part Numbers, Packaging & Distributor SKUs

Official Brady SKUs, roll dimensions, package quantities, list pricing, Grainger part numbers, and printer compatibility for B-797.

Extracted directly from Brady Technical Data Sheets to prevent real-world application failures and chemical degradation:

• Footnote, outdoor use. The Performance Properties table marks one row "Weatherability*". The matching note is printed at the end of that table, immediately below the Chemical Vapor Phase Resistance row, and reads verbatim: "*B-797 is not recommended for outdoor use." The asterisk anchors the note to the Weatherability row, but the sentence itself is written as a statement about the product, not about that one test.
• UL approval, conditional on ribbon. Verbatim: "Brady B-797 is a UL Recognized Component to UL969 Labeling and Marking Standard when printed with the Brady Series R6300 and Brady Series R6000 Halogen Free ribbons. See UL file MH17154 for specific details. UL information can be accessed on-line at UL.com in the UL Product iQ area." The sheet does not extend this recognition to the R4900A, R8965, or RR103 ribbons it also lists as recommended.
• Weee-RoHS compliance status is not stated on the sheet. The sheet gives only pointer URLs: "For information on the Weee-RoHS compliance status for a Brady Product go to one of the following websites:" In Canada www.bradycanada.ca/weee-rohs; In Europe www.bradyeurope.com/rohs; In Japan www.brady.co.jp/products/labelsuse/rohs; All other regions www.bradyid.com/weee-rohs.
• MIL-STD-202G conformance is conditional on ribbon. Verbatim: "B-797, in combination with the Brady Series R6300 or R6000 Halogen Free ribbon, meets the requirements of MIL-STD-202G, Method 215K." The sheet does not make this claim for any other ribbon.
• Ribbon restriction for non reflow and aqueous cleaning. Verbatim: "The R4900A, R6300 and R8965 ribbons are recommended for use in non reflow applications for aqueous cleaning."
• Through hole and wave solder caveat. Verbatim: "B-797 is suitable for use in a variety of PCB manufacturing processes. For through hole technology processes, if the label is applied to the bottom side of the PCB and is exposed to physical contact (e.g., wave solder), especially above 260°C, we recommend testing in your specific process to ensure the label meets performance expectations."
• Ribbon scope of the performance results. An unlabeled paragraph printed between the Physical Properties table and the Performance Properties table reads verbatim: "Performance properties were tested on B-797 printed with the Brady Series R6300 ribbon. Printed samples were laminated to aluminum and allowed to dwell 24 hours before exposure to the indicated conditions. High-temperature performance is evaluated in a controlled laboratory using forced-air ovens." Note for the reader judging scope: this paragraph sits below the Physical Properties table and above the Performance Properties table, and within that Performance Properties table the Abrasion Resistance row is the one row that states separate results for the R6300 and R6000 Halogen Free ribbons.
• Variability disclaimer. Verbatim: "Actual performance in customer applications may vary due to differences in environment, surface types, chemistries, conditions, and any physical contact with the label during processing."
• Chemical resistance results exclude reflow. Verbatim, from the paragraph above the chemical resistance table: "Note: Samples were tested without exposure to reflow conditions."
• User responsibility. Verbatim: "Performance: It remains the responsibility of the user to assess the risk of using this product. We recommend customers develop test protocols to validate the product's fitness for use in their actual application."
• Values are averages, not specifications. Verbatim: "Note: All values shown are averages and should not be used for specification purposes." The sheet continues: "Test data and test results contained in this document are for general information only and shall not be relied upon by Brady customers for designs and specifications, or be relied on as meeting specified performance criteria. Customers desiring to develop specifications or performance criteria for specific product applications should contact Brady for further information."

ASTM Physical & Mechanical Properties

Standardized laboratory test data measured in accordance with ASTM D 1000, ASTM D 2979, and ASTM D 2671.

Thermal Transfer Ribbon Compatibility

Official Brady recommended ribbons engineered for maximum contrast, smear resistance, and UL certification compliance.

Chemical & Solvent Resistance Matrix

Standardized dip and rub immersion test observations across industrial fuels, oils, solvents, and cleaners.

Environmental & Aging Durability Testing

Verified Target Applications & Use Cases

• Printed circuit board (PCB) and electronic component pre-process labeling.