Why Bioglass Is Critical for Animal RFID Tags Safety

Animal RFID tags are widely used for identification, traceability, disease control, and ownership management across livestock, pets, and research animals. Among all technical components of an RFID animal microchip, the encapsulation material plays a decisive role in safety, durability, and long-term performance.

Bioglass encapsulation has become the industry standard for injectable RFID animal microchip tags. This article explains why bioglass is critical, how it protects animals, and what buyers should evaluate when selecting animal RFID tags.

What Are Animal RFID Microchip Tags?

Animal RFID microchip tags are implantable identification devices that store a unique ID number and transmit it via radio frequency when scanned.

Typical characteristics include:

• Passive RFID (no battery)
• Small cylindrical form factor
• Long service life (often 20+ years)
• Compliance with ISO animal identification standards

They are commonly used for:

• Pets (dogs, cats)
• Livestock (cattle, sheep, pigs)
• Aquaculture (fish)
• Wildlife tracking
• Laboratory and research animals

Because these devices are implanted inside living tissue, material safety is non-negotiable.

Why Encapsulation Material Matters for Implanted RFID Tags

Once implanted, an RFID microchip must:

• Remain biologically inert
• Resist body fluids and chemicals
• Avoid tissue irritation or rejection
• Maintain structural integrity for decades
• Protect the internal chip and antenna

Inferior encapsulation materials can lead to:

• Inflammation or infection
• Microchip migration
• Signal degradation
• Cracking or leakage
• Premature device failure

This is why bioglass is used instead of plastic or standard glass.

What Is Bioglass?

Bioglass is a medical-grade, biocompatible glass material specifically engineered for long-term implantation in the human or animal body.

Key characteristics of bioglass:

• Chemically inert
• Non-toxic
• Non-reactive with body tissue
• Extremely stable over time
• Smooth surface finish

Bioglass has been used for decades in medical implants, including dental and orthopedic applications, long before its adoption in RFID animal identification.

Key Reasons Bioglass Is Critical for Animal RFID Tag Safety

1. Excellent Biocompatibility

Bioglass does not trigger immune rejection or allergic reactions. After implantation, surrounding tissue accepts the microchip without chronic inflammation.

This is essential for:

• Companion animals (pets)
• Long-lifespan livestock
• Research animals under welfare regulations

2. Long-Term Chemical Stability

Animal bodies contain moisture, enzymes, and salts that can degrade poor materials over time.

Bioglass offers:

• Resistance to body fluids
• No corrosion or material breakdown
• Stable performance for 20+ years

This ensures the RFID chip remains readable throughout the animal’s life.

3. High Mechanical Strength

Despite its small size, an RFID microchip must withstand:

• Injection force
• Muscle movement
• External pressure

Bioglass provides:

• High compressive strength
• Crack resistance
• Protection for internal chip and antenna

This minimizes failure risk during implantation and daily activity.

4. Smooth Surface for Safe Injection

Bioglass capsules are polished to a smooth cylindrical finish, reducing:

• Tissue trauma during injection
• Risk of micro-tears
• Post-implant discomfort

This improves animal welfare and simplifies veterinary procedures.

5. Hermetic Sealing of the RFID Chip

Bioglass encapsulation creates a hermetically sealed environment, protecting:

• Silicon chip
• Copper antenna coil
• Memory and circuitry

This sealing prevents moisture ingress, which is a leading cause of RFID failure in low-quality microchips.

Bioglass vs Plastic Encapsulation: A Practical Comparison

For implantable animal RFID tags, plastic encapsulation is generally unsuitable for long-term use.

Compliance With International Standards

High-quality bioglass animal RFID tags are designed to comply with:

• ISO 11784 / ISO 11785
• FDX-B and HDX transmission protocols
• 134.2 kHz animal identification frequency

These standards are required for:

• Government livestock programs
• Veterinary registration systems
• International animal traceability

Typical Specifications of Bioglass Animal RFID Microchip Tags

At XIUCHENG RFID, animal RFID microchip tags are manufactured with the following characteristics:

• Material: Cylindrical bioglass
• Chip: EM4305, R/W
• Frequency: 134.2 kHz ± 2 kHz / 125 kHz
• Protocols: FDX-B, HDX-B
• Memory: 256 bits
• Dimensions:
  • 1.25 × 7 mm
  • 1.4 × 8 mm
  • 2.12 × 12 mm
• Operating Temperature: -25°C to +70°C
• Storage Temperature: -40°C to +100°C
• Power: Passive (no battery)
• Data Retention: >20 years

These specifications are designed to meet the demands of veterinary, agricultural, and institutional buyers.

Applications of Bioglass RFID Animal Microchips

Bioglass-encapsulated RFID tags are used in:

• Pet identification and registration
• Livestock traceability and disease control
• Breeding management
• Aquaculture tagging
• Wildlife monitoring
• Laboratory and biomedical research

In all cases, animal safety and long-term reliability are the primary considerations.

Choosing a Reliable Animal RFID Tag Manufacturer

When sourcing animal RFID tags, buyers should evaluate:

• Bioglass material quality
• ISO compliance documentation
• Chip origin and consistency
• Production process control
• Batch traceability
• Long-term performance testing

XIUCHENG RFID focuses exclusively on RFID tag manufacturing, supplying animal RFID microchip tags in large volumes with stable quality for global markets.

Conclusion

Bioglass is not a cosmetic choice—it is a critical safety component of animal RFID microchip tags. Its biocompatibility, durability, and long-term stability make it the only practical material for implantable animal identification.

For veterinarians, livestock operators, and system integrators, selecting bioglass-encapsulated animal RFID tags is essential to ensure animal welfare, regulatory compliance, and reliable identification over the entire lifespan of the animal.