Metal surfaces are known to interfere with the radio signals emitted by RFID readers or antennas. As a result, special RFID tags are required to ensure accurate and effective data reading, just as with non-metallic surfaces.

1. Industries and Equipment Requiring Specialized RFID Tags

• Medical equipment
• IT devices (computers, servers, data centers)
• Industrial machinery manufacturing plants
• Steel, iron, and sheet metal factories
• Vehicle tracking and positioning
• Oil pipeline manufacturers
• Products stored in metal containers such as oil drums, beer kegs, etc.
• Container management and tracking

2. Types of RFID Tags for Metal Surfaces

There are many types of anti-metal RFID tags, varying in material, function, and cost.

Label Tags
Flexible, small-sized standard RFID tags that can be curved to adhere to metal surfaces. These can be printed using specialized RFID printers, making them highly flexible and cost-effective. However, they are not ideal for large metallic equipment or harsh environments.

ABS Plastic Tags
RFID chips are encased in durable ABS plastic housing, making them waterproof, heat-resistant, and shockproof—ideal for tracking metallic items in extreme environments.

PCB RFID Tags
These compact tags contain multiple chips and antennas inside, offering better read performance and extended range compared to standard tags. Their impact resistance makes them suitable for electronics, electrical tools, and compact industrial accessories.

On-metal RFID Tags
These omni-directional tags can convert metal surfaces into energy sources, enhancing read distance and allowing signal reception from behind the metal. They are commonly used for tracking gas cylinders and beer kegs.

3. Choosing the Right RFID Tag for Metal Applications

With various shapes, sizes, materials, and environmental resistance levels, selecting the right RFID tag requires understanding your use case. Here are some guiding questions:

• What are the properties of the equipment? Is the metal thick or thin? What is the size and weight? Can the tag be adhered or must it be mounted?
• What is the operating environment of the RFID system?
• How many items need tagging?
• What is the available budget for the RFID implementation?

Note: Anti-metal RFID tags are not limited to metal surfaces only. In fact, they are also effective in environments where metallic interference is high—such as manufacturing plants filled with metal machinery that could disrupt RFID systems.

Therefore, when choosing RFID tags for use on or near metal, it’s essential to carefully evaluate the properties of the tagged assets and the operating environment to ensure stable and accurate performance of the RFID system.

If you’re unsure about which RFID tag best suits your needs, feel free to contact 1Gate. With extensive experience in implementing RFID projects of various scales across Vietnam, we are ready to advise and support you.

📧 Email: info@1gate.com.vn
📞 Phone: (028) 3932 0445