Effect of Laser Marking on Different High-Temperature Alloys

In the course of actual testing, the team compared the results of different high-temperature alloys (such as GH4169 and Inconel 718) in laser marking, and analyzed how power, speed and frequency affect the clarity and permanence of the marks. This helped users choose the best marking solutions, and improved the quality and efficiency of marking industrial components used in high-temperature environments.

Why is it so difficult to mark high-temperature alloys?

High-temperature alloys such as GH4169 and Inconel 718 are naturally hard materials that are resistant to corrosion and can withstand high temperatures, but this also makes laser marking on them challenging.If the power is too low, the markings will be blurry. If it's too high, it will burn the surface.This time we tested five commonly used alloys with different parameter combinations, to see which was most reliable.

Materials and equipment are prepared.

A list of materials to be tested.

Five alloys were selected for the test: GH4169, Inconel 718, Haynes 230, Nimonic 90, and Ti-6A1-4V. All had a thickness of 3 mm and were pre-treated with sandblasting (in actual production, few parts are completely smooth).

Laser marking machine parameters.

The equipment used is a fiber laser marking machine with a wavelength of 1064nm.During testing, power is divided into four levels from 20W to 80W, and speed from 100mm / s to 800mm / s. Frequency is fixed at two levels, 20kHz and 50kHz.Why these parameters? The old-timer in the factory says that these are the most commonly used intervals.

Comparative data on the effectiveness of the labeling.

Ranking by clarity.

At 50 % power, the edges of the GH4169 and Inconel 718 marks are the sharpest, with no burrs visible to the naked eye.The Haynes 230 requires 60 watts to achieve the same results, and the Ti-6Al-4V actually performs better at 30 watts. It is clear that titanium alloys are a different breed.

High temperature resistance test.

The samples were then placed in an 800 ℃ oven for two hours. The results were interesting: the samples with the highest power levels were the most likely to peel off (probably because the surface was over-melted).The GH4169 can mark at 40 watts and a speed of 500 millimeters per second, and the marks are still legible even after exposure to high temperatures.

It gives practical suggestions.

1. Test first: The composition of different batches of alloy can vary, so it is necessary to test on scrap before embossing the finished product.

Start with 30 watts, and gradually increase the power to avoid scorching the surface of the workpiece.

3. Speed and Focus: When marking at high speeds, remember to adjust the focus in tandem with the speed, or you will get blurry images.

The old master craftsmen in the factory told me a trick: Before you etch the surface, wipe it with alcohol to reduce the interference of the oxide layer and make the color of the mark more even.But never use acetone, because although it is good at removing stains, any residue will affect the laser absorption rate.

What if a problem arises?

If the marker shows signs of yellowing or cracking, it is probably due to excessive power or an incorrect focal point.If you can't see anything, don't rush to adjust the parameters. First check to see whether the lens is dirty. Sometimes a little dust can be the problem.If the markings are not uniformly deep, try increasing the overlap rate from 15 % to 20 %.