Abstract: A material and a method for forming a tamper-indicating identification coating are provided. The components of the coating are selected such that the coating exhibits a characteristic absorption spectrum with distinct features in individual regions during Fourier-transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy. The coating components are selected to provide a distinct spectrum while, at the same time, providing a sufficiently complex spectrum such that the coating is difficult to duplicate. Also, a blowing agent in the coating decomposes to change the FTIR spectrum due to the heat associated with resoldering of an out-of-warranty electronic part marked with the identification coating to an in-warranty circuit card. In addition, the coating may contain a fluorophore to reveal the presence of a tamper-indicating identification coating, allowing a manufacturer to check the card by exposure with ultra-violet (UV) light. Further, the coating composition may be changed periodically and tracked to provide a date marker.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 24, 1997
Date of Patent:
May 9, 2000
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Inventors:
Joseph Paul Kuczynski, David Otto Lewis