In today’s manufacturing industry, laser marking equipment has become an important tool widely used in various industries, such as automobile manufacturing, medical equipment, jewellery manufacturing, etc. The fade and wear resistance of laser marking is one of the most concerning issues for users. So, can laser marking remain clear and beautiful for a long time? This article will explore this issue from the following aspects.
The working principle of laser marking
The working principle of laser marking is based on the permanent changes produced by the laser on the material surface. Through the high-energy laser beam irradiation, the material surface is for local heating or irradiation, thus causing physical or chemical changes in the material, forming a permanent mark.
Types and characteristics of laser marking
According to the way of laser marking, can be divided into the following types: CO2 laser, fiber laser, ultraviolet laser, and so on. Each type has its unique characteristics and scope of application.
CO2 laser marking: using CO2 laser as the light source, through the gas discharge excitation of CO2 molecules to produce laser light, mainly used for non-metallic materials marking, such as wood, paper, leather, fabric and so on.
Fiber laser marking: using the fiber laser as a light source, through the solid medium to stimulate the rare earth elements to produce laser light, mainly used for metal and some non-metallic materials marking, such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, plastics, rubber and so on.
Ultraviolet laser marking: using UV laser as a light source, through the solid medium excitation of neon gas to produce laser light, mainly used for sensitive and high-precision material marking, such as glass, ceramics, silicon, etc.
4 Factors Affecting Fade and Abrasion Resistance
1. Laser power: Higher power lasers can melt materials more deeply, but too much power may result in blurred or broken marks.
2. Marking depth: Deeper markings are more likely to be affected by abrasion, but markings that are too deep may cause damage to the material.
3. Material type: some materials (e.g. metals) are more resistant to abrasion and fading than others (e.g. plastics).
4. Environmental factors: Changes in humidity and temperature may affect the durability of the mark.
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Effectiveness and durability of laser marking on different materials
In addition, the effect and durability of laser marking are different for different materials.
The following are the laser marking effect and durability of several common materials:
Metal: Metal is one of the main targets for laser marking. Laser marking of metals is mainly done by melting, oxidation, and carbonization of the laser to change the color and structure of the metal surface to form a permanent mark. Laser marking of metals is highly resistant to fading and abrasion and can remain unchanged for a long time in harsh environments.
Plastics: Laser marking of plastics mainly changes the color and texture of the surface of plastics through pyrolysis, carbonization, and foaming of the laser to form visible traces. Laser marking of plastics has good resistance to fading and abrasion and can remain stable under certain conditions.
3 Suggestions for optimisation
To improve the fade and wear resistance of laser marking, we can take the following suggestions:
- Select appropriate laser parameters such as power and beam focus;
- Clean the marking surface to remove dirt that may affect the quality;
- Adding a protective layer: add a protective layer to the marking surface, e.g. use a protective layer that is waterproof, UV-resistant, scratch-resistant, etc., to enhance its abrasion resistance.
Conclusion
Generally speaking, laser marking can maintain clarity and beauty for a long time. Understanding the factors affecting laser marking and how to choose one will also help us in our laser marking projects. If you need a laser marking machine, call Blue Elephant Laser and we will provide you with a laser marking solution that is tailored to your needs.