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On-metal tags

FR4 on-metal tags

Short answer

Rigid FR4 board tags for metal surfaces, from 5 mm discs to 100 x 30 mm boards. The small models use tape. Larger models add screw, rivet or glue fixing.
Models
19
Footprint
5 x 5 to 100 x 30 mm
Height
1.6 to 3.4 mm
Operating
-25 to +85 °C
Supplier-stated, across models
Stated read distance
0.5 m to 6.5 m
Supplier-stated, 19 models, EIRP 4 W, on metal

1.0Construction

How this family is built

Typical construction of FR4 on-metal tagsExploded view of the layers of FR4 on-metal tags, from the top: Chip; Antenna traces; FR4 circuit board; Adhesive tape, if used. Typical construction, not a specification; layers are not drawn to scale.ChipAntenna tracesFR4 circuit boardAdhesive tape,if usedTypical construction, not a specification.Layers are not to scale.Family thickness 1.6 to 3.4 mm.
Layers of the family. Body: FR4 circuit board.

FR4 is the glass-fiber epoxy laminate that most circuit boards are made from. An FR4 on-metal tag is a small board, which the records describe only as a rigid FR4 body 1.6 to 3.4 mm thick. They do not describe the antenna layout, the stack of layers or any coating, so this page makes no claim about them.

As general background, not a description of any model: a UHF antenna placed directly on metal is detuned by it, so tags meant for metal are built to work with the metal instead of against it. The tag's thickness is part of that design, which is why an on-metal tag is thicker than a label for cartons, and why a tag that works on one metal surface should be checked on the metal you will use.

2.0Choosing

Choose this family, or look elsewhere

Choose this family for

  • Small metal parts and tools with a small flat area. Ten models list tape as their only fixing, from a 5 mm disc to 53 x 13 mm, and all but one are 3 to 3.4 mm high.
  • Metal parts and containers with room for a 36 x 13 mm to 100 x 30 mm board fixed by screw, rivet or glue as well as tape. Nine models list those fixings.
  • Read distance that you can trade against size. On one footing (EIRP 4 W, on metal) the supplier states from 0.5 m for the 5 mm disc to 6.5 m for the 100 x 30 mm board. Each figure is supplier-stated.

Look elsewhere when

  • No model states an operating temperature above 85 C, and three list 70 C. A storage temperature is not an operating temperature.
  • Stated read distances do not rise steadily with size. The 90 x 5 mm and 90 x 11 mm models state 2 m, while the 50 x 10 mm model states 3 m. Test on your own metal before you rank sizes.
  • Height is 3 to 3.4 mm on all models but one, which is 1.6 mm. If less than 3 mm is available, look at the flexible PET family (1.7 to 1.8 mm) or the printable family (1.25 mm).

Selection rules

  1. Pick the smallest footprint whose stated on-metal distance meets your requirement with a margin, and confirm it on your own metal.
  2. Tape only is listed for the ten smaller models. Screw, rivet or glue as well as tape is listed for the nine models whose SKU ends in TF.
  3. If you need user memory, read the memory row of each model, because it differs by chip. Most models with Monza 4QT list 496 bit of user memory, and the models with UCODE 8 list EPC memory only.
  4. Pre-encoding and painting are listed for every model. Laser marking, logo printing and surface patterns are listed for the eight larger models.

3.0Models

The 19 FR4 on-metal tags

FR4 on-metal tags: models with size, chip, mounting, band and stated read distance
ModelSizeHeightChip optionsMountingBandsStated read distance
FR4 on-metal tag 5 mm dia. MFR-D5-T 5 mm diameter, 3 mm high 3 mm NXP UCODE 8 Adhesive tape FCC, ETSI up to 0.5 m EIRP 4 W, on metal. Supplier-stated.
FR4 on-metal tag 9.4 x 4.3 mm MFR-9x4-T 9.4 x 4.3 x 1.6 mm 1.6 mm NXP UCODE 7m Adhesive tape FCC, ETSI up to 0.5 m EIRP 4 W, on metal. Supplier-stated.
FR4 on-metal tag 10 x 5 mm MFR-10x5-T 10 x 5 x 3 mm 3 mm NXP UCODE 8 Adhesive tape FCC, ETSI up to 1 m EIRP 4 W, on metal. Supplier-stated.
FR4 on-metal tag 12 x 7 mm MFR-12x7-T 12 x 7 x 3 mm 3 mm NXP UCODE 8 Adhesive tape FCC, ETSI up to 1 m EIRP 4 W, on metal. Supplier-stated.
FR4 on-metal tag 10 mm dia. MFR-D10-T 10 mm diameter, 3 mm high 3 mm Impinj Monza 4QT Adhesive tape FCC, ETSI up to 0.8 m EIRP 4 W, on metal. Supplier-stated.
FR4 on-metal tag 13 x 9 mm MFR-13x9-T 13 x 9 x 3 mm 3 mm NXP UCODE 8 Adhesive tape FCC, ETSI up to 1 m EIRP 4 W, on metal. Supplier-stated.
FR4 on-metal tag 18 x 9 mm MFR-18x9-T 18 x 9 x 3 mm 3 mm Impinj Monza 4QT Adhesive tape FCC, ETSI up to 1 m EIRP 4 W, on metal. Supplier-stated.
FR4 on-metal tag 22 x 8 mm MFR-22x8-T 22 x 8 x 3 mm 3 mm Impinj Monza 4QT Adhesive tape FCC, ETSI up to 1.2 m EIRP 4 W, on metal. Supplier-stated.
FR4 on-metal tag 23 x 9 mm MFR-23x9-T 23 x 9 x 3 mm 3 mm Impinj Monza 4QT Adhesive tape FCC, ETSI up to 2 m EIRP 4 W, on metal. Supplier-stated.
FR4 on-metal tag 90 x 5 mm MFR-90x5-TF 90 x 5 x 3 mm 3 mm Impinj Monza 4QT Screw, Rivet, Glue, Adhesive tape FCC, ETSI up to 2 m EIRP 4 W, on metal. Supplier-stated.
FR4 on-metal tag 36 x 13 mm MFR-36x13-TF 36 x 13 x 3 mm 3 mm Impinj Monza 4QT Screw, Rivet, Glue, Adhesive tape FCC, ETSI up to 2 m EIRP 4 W, on metal. Supplier-stated.
FR4 on-metal tag 50 x 10 mm MFR-50x10-TF 50 x 10 x 3 mm 3 mm NXP UCODE 8 Screw, Rivet, Glue, Adhesive tape FCC, ETSI up to 3 m EIRP 4 W, on metal. Supplier-stated.
FR4 on-metal tag 53 x 13 mm MFR-53x13-T 53 x 13 x 3.4 mm 3.4 mm Impinj Monza 4QT Adhesive tape FCC, ETSI up to 3 m EIRP 4 W, on metal. Supplier-stated.
FR4 on-metal tag 90 x 11 mm MFR-90x11-TF 90 x 11 x 3.4 mm 3.4 mm Impinj Monza 4QT Screw, Rivet, Glue, Adhesive tape FCC, ETSI up to 2 m EIRP 4 W, on metal. Supplier-stated.
FR4 on-metal tag 70 x 20 mm MFR-70x20-TF 70 x 20 x 3.4 mm 3.4 mm Impinj Monza 4QT Screw, Rivet, Glue, Adhesive tape FCC, ETSI up to 3 m EIRP 4 W, on metal. Supplier-stated.
FR4 on-metal tag 60 x 25 mm MFR-60x25-TF 60 x 25 x 3.4 mm 3.4 mm Impinj Monza 4QT Screw, Rivet, Glue, Adhesive tape FCC, ETSI up to 3 m EIRP 4 W, on metal. Supplier-stated.
FR4 on-metal tag 80 x 20 mm MFR-80x20-TF 80 x 20 x 3 mm 3 mm NXP UCODE 8 Screw, Rivet, Glue, Adhesive tape FCC, ETSI up to 5 m EIRP 4 W, on metal. Supplier-stated.
FR4 on-metal tag 95 x 25 mm MFR-95x25-TF 95 x 25 x 3.4 mm 3.4 mm Impinj Monza 4QT Screw, Rivet, Glue, Adhesive tape FCC, ETSI up to 5 m EIRP 4 W, on metal. Supplier-stated.
FR4 on-metal tag 100 x 30 mm MFR-100x30-TF 100 x 30 x 3.4 mm 3.4 mm Impinj Monza 4QT Screw, Rivet, Glue, Adhesive tape FCC, ETSI up to 6.5 m EIRP 4 W, on metal. Supplier-stated.
How to read the distances in this table

Every distance is the supplier's upper figure, stated under the conditions in the last column, and TagBrio has not tested it. All the models state their leading distance on the same footing, so the figures may be compared with each other. A read on your own part with your own reader is the only reliable check.

4.0Compared

How it differs from a neighboring family

This family and its neighbors compared from their records. Temperature ranges span all models of a family and are supplier-stated
Family ModelsHeightFixing methods listedOperating rangeStorage rangeLists user memory
FR4 on-metal tags (this page) 191.6 to 3.4 mmAdhesive tape, screw, rivet and glue-25 to +85 °C-40 to +180 °C11 of 19
Ceramic on-metal tags 51.8 to 3 mmAdhesive tape-25 to +85 °C-40 to +120 °C5 of 5
Plastic-housed on-metal tags 74 to 11 mmAdhesive tape, screw, rivet and glue-40 to +115 °C-45 to +200 °C2 of 7

5.0Questions

Questions about this family

Answers quoted from the records

How big are FR4 on-metal tags?

The 19 models range from 5 mm diameter (MFR-D5-T) to 100 x 30 mm (MFR-100x30-TF) in footprint, and from 1.6 mm to 3.4 mm in height. The model page of each gives its full size.

How far can FR4 on-metal tags be read?

19 of the 19 models state a distance under one footing (EIRP 4 W, on metal), from 0.5 m to 6.5 m. All figures are supplier-stated and TagBrio has not tested them. A read on your own surface with your own reader is the only reliable check, and the request page offers a test kit.

How are FR4 on-metal tags attached?

Across the family the records list adhesive tape, screw, rivet and glue. The methods differ by model, so check the mounting row of the model you choose.

What temperatures do FR4 on-metal tags state?

The supplier states operating ranges within -25 to +85 °C and storage ranges within -40 to +180 °C across the models; individual models differ. Both are supplier-stated, and a storage range is not an operating range.

Does the stated read distance rise with size?

Not steadily. Among the 19 FR4 models that state EIRP 4 W, on metal, distances run from 0.5 m to 6.5 m, and some larger models state less than smaller ones. Treat each figure as one supplier statement, not as a trend.

Test it on your own surface

Samples are handled per request. The team confirms availability and terms by email.

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