The secret of smart card waterproof

Have you ever encountered such situations: the access card in your pocket suddenly stops working while taking a shower, the storage card by the swimming pool can't read information after getting wet, but someone else's membership card can still be used after being fished out of water and dried... Could it be that smart cards also have a "waterproof constitution"? The answer lies in the card's base material, craftsmanship, and chip protection! Today, we are going to break down the "waterproof secrets" of smart cards, and by the way, tell you how Zhanfeng Smart Cards make cards "not panic when encountering water".

1. Are smart cards afraid of water? It depends on these 3 parts!

A smart card is usually composed of three parts: the base material (card body), the chip, and the printing layer.

So, whether a smart card is waterproof mainly depends on:

▶ Substrate type (whether it can absorb water)

▶ Packaging technology (whether the chip has a "protective shell")

▶ Usage environment (whether it is in long-term contact with water)

2. Which smart cards are "naturally afraid of water"?

Ordinary PVC cards (those without special treatment) can be called "little water-absorbing experts" — the PVC material itself has a certain water absorption capacity. When soaked in water, the card body is prone to swelling, causing the chip contacts to loosen or bend; if the printing layer uses ordinary ink, it may smudge and fall off when exposed to water. Once such cards get wet (for example, falling into a toilet or being soaked in rain), at best, the chip will have poor contact, and at worst, they will be directly scrapped!

3. which smart cards "remain unflustered when exposed to water"?

· PET substrate card: "top student" in the waterproof field

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) itself has low water absorption. It is not easy to swell or deform when soaked in water, and can well protect the internal chips. PET cards that have undergone surface treatment have more stable waterproof performance. Daily splashing or short-term immersion (such as falling into the sink while washing hands) basically does not affect their use. Zhanfeng's high-frequency waterproof cards often use PET as the base material, which is suitable for scenarios that need to come into contact with water (such as swimming pool storage cards, bathroom access cards).

· Encapsulation technology support: Putting "armor" on the chip

Even if the base material is waterproof, the chip itself still requires additional protection. Zhanfeng encapsulates the chip and its contacts in waterproof materials using sealant encapsulation or full encapsulation processes, which is similar to putting a "waterproof cover" on electronic products. This way, even if the card body absorbs a small amount of water, the chip will not short-circuit. Such processes are often used in high-end access control cards and medical visit cards (which frequently come into contact with disinfectants or water stains).

· Special paper/composite materials: moisture-proof and anti-deformation

For example, TESLIN composite paper (which Zhanfeng can use for cultural and creative cards), although essentially paper, contains silica. It has the properties of being waterproof, moisture-proof, and resistant to rubbing. It does not swell quickly when exposed to water, making it suitable for scenarios involving short-term contact with water (such as temporary cards for outdoor activities).

4. how to protect smart cards in daily use?

Even waterproof cards shouldn't be deliberately "tortured"! Zhanfeng suggests:

• Avoid long-term soaking (even if it is waterproof, it can't withstand being soaked in water for several days)

• Wipe it dry promptly after contact with water (to prevent water from seeping into the gaps of the card body)

• Store it away from humid environments (such as bathroom drawers)

For high-frequency use scenarios where contact with water is possible (such as hotel room cards, swimming pool cards, and children's watch cards), directly choose waterproof cards made of PET substrate with encapsulation technology; it's a one-time solution!

5. Zhanfeng Smart Card: Customized "Waterproof Solutions" on Demand

Zhanfeng has been deeply engaged in smart cards for 18 years and is well aware of the waterproofing needs in different scenarios. The waterproofing solutions we provide include:

✅ Basic water splash resistance: ordinary PVC card + waterproof printing (suitable for occasional splashes, such as office access cards)

✅ Moderate water resistance: PET substrate card (suitable for short-term contact with water, such as gym shower cards)

✅ Deep water resistance: PET substrate + chip packaging technology (suitable for long-term contact with water, such as swimming pool storage cards, medical cards)

No matter what your needs are, we can customize "waterproof grade matching" cards according to your usage environment (moisture level, contact frequency), turning the cards from "water-fearing" to "waterproof"!

Zhanfeng Smart Card, with 18 years of experience, adds a "waterproof shield" to your card. Whether in daily use or special scenarios, it can make the card "stay calm when encountering water", being durable and worry-free!