Table of Contents
Introduction
Composition of Smart Cards
Hardware Part
Base Material
Contact Surface
Integrated Chip
Software Part
Card Operating System (COS)
Common Materials for Smart Cards
PVC Card Manufacturing Process
Where to Get PVC Smart Cards
Conclusion
Do You Know the Basic Materials of Smart Cards?
In the market, various types of smart cards are widely used, such as hotel membership cards, KTV membership cards, supermarket membership cards, and medical cards. These cards are usually made of plastic materials, but in reality, the base materials for smart cards vary. Today, CBT will provide you with a detailed analysis of the main components and materials of smart cards.
Composition of Smart Cards
Smart cards mainly consist of two parts:
1. Hardware Part:
a. Base Material: Common materials include PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), while some high-end cards may use plastic or paper-based materials.
b. Contact Surface: Made of metal (usually thin copper sheets), the input and output terminals of the integrated circuit are connected to the contact surface to facilitate smooth operation by the card reader and enhance card durability. Standard contact points typically include eight (C1-C8), though some smart cards, due to historical reasons, are designed with only six contact points.
c. Integrated Chip: The chip is usually thinner than 0.5mm and is mostly circular or square in shape. It contains internal components such as CPU, RAM, ROM, and EPROM.
2. Software Part:
Card Operating System (COS): Responsible for executing read/write commands, identity verification, data storage, key management, and other functions to ensure data security.
Common Materials for Smart Cards
Currently, the primary materials used in smart card manufacturing are PVC and ABS, with PVC being the most widely used due to its superior performance and broad applications.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Made from chlorinated paraffin 52 as a raw material, with added anti-aging agents and modifiers, processed through mixing, casting, and vacuum lamination. PVC materials offer excellent durability, water resistance, and printability.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): Known for its high impact resistance and heat resistance, ABS is suitable for specific smart card applications.
PVC Smart Card Manufacturing Process
The production of smart cards involves several precise steps, including:
1. Film Output: Creating the printing film.
2. PS Plate Production: Preparing the printing PS plate.
3. Printing: Using high-precision printing equipment to print patterns and text.
4. Magnetic Strip Application: Adding a magnetic strip function if required.
5. Lamination: Bonding multiple layers of materials using heat.
6. Signature Strip Printing: Reserving a signing area for personalized signatures.
7. Cutting and Pressing: Trimming the card to standard dimensions.
8. Post-Processing: Customizations such as embossing, flat codes, barcodes, barcode labels, and hot stamping.
9. Quality Inspection: Ensuring each card meets quality standards.
10. Packaging: Completing final packaging before shipment.
Where to Get PVC Smart Cards?
CBT utilizes advanced German Heidelberg printing machines, offering the following key advantages:
1. High-Precision Printing: Ensures accurate color reproduction and clear images.
2. Efficient Production: Optimized processes reduce production time.
3. Quality Assurance:
a. Resolves traditional PVC card color discrepancies.
b. Enhances scratch resistance and prevents deformation.
c. Implements strict quality inspections to ensure compliance with ISO9001 quality standards.
Through continuous optimization of production processes and technological innovation, CBT is committed to providing high-quality smart card products tailored to diverse customer needs. Whether for membership cards, medical cards, or access control cards, we offer professional customization solutions!
