What kind of laser should you choose for marking different materials?

After testing the effects of laser marking on metal, plastic, and ceramic materials, the center will help users choose the right type of laser (such as fiber, CO2, or ultraviolet) for their needs.It covers critical factors such as marking clarity, efficiency, and cost, and offers practical suggestions for selection.

Why does the material affect the effect of laser marking?

Laser marking is not a one-size-fits-all technology. Different materials absorb different wavelengths and different levels of power.For example, the high reflectivity of metal surfaces can cause the energy of a laser beam to scatter. Plastic, on the other hand, might deform or even char if exposed to high temperatures.If you select the wrong equipment, you don't just get a less-than-perfect result, you might even damage the raw material.

The results of the tests of the three materials are now revealed.

Metal materials: Fiber lasers are in the lead.

The team tested three common metals: stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and copper. They discovered that fiber lasers (1064 nm wavelength) have strong penetrating power, and can create a clear mark 0.1 millimeter deep within 0.5 seconds.In particular, the contrast on an aluminum oxide surface can exceed 90 %.However, high-reflectivity materials such as copper require a mirror system to prevent energy reflection.

Plastic material: CO2 laser is safer.

In tests on ABS, PC, and PP plastics, CO2 lasers (with a wavelength of 10.6 microns) gave the most stable results.When the power is kept below 30 watts, the edges of the mark do not turn yellow or bubble up.However, dark plastics need to be treated at a lower frequency to avoid carbonization, so it is recommended that the parameters are first tested on a small sample.The UV laser is more precise, but it also consumes an extra 1.2 KWhr per hour, so the cost-benefit tradeoff must be carefully weighed.

Ceramics: UV lasers are the dark horse.

The biggest difficulty in marking ceramics is the tendency for the surface to crack. In fact, testing has shown that ultraviolet lasers (wavelength 355 nm) can achieve a precision of 0.02 mm in marking zirconia and alumina ceramics, with almost no burrs along the edges.The equipment costs about 40 % more than the other two methods, making it suitable for high-end products that need permanent markings.

Three tips for choosing a laser marking machine.

1. First look at the material, then select the wavelength: metal needs fiber optics, plastic needs CO2, and ceramics / glass need UV.

2. Don't just look at the rated power: Measure the effective power range of different materials.

3. Calculate the cost of consumables clearly: The lifespan of a UV laser is usually only one-third that of a fiber laser.

I've already stepped in those traps for you.

I've seen customers who used CO2 lasers to mark stainless steel, and even after fiddling with the settings for three hours, the marks were still blurred.Later, they switched to a 20-watt fiber laser, and the job was done in 10 minutes.Another electronics factory that wanted to label ABS plastic cases bought a second-hand fiber-optic laser machine to save money, but the result was that the plastic was just burned through.The lesson learned from this experience is that the characteristics of the materials being used are more important than the price of the equipment.