Which materials are best suited to ultraviolet laser processing?

UV lasers are most suitable for marking plastic, coated metal, and glass and ceramic materials, and can achieve high-precision marking without causing heat damage.When choosing materials, it is important to take into account their light absorption and surface characteristics, and to avoid using dark materials that absorb light or light materials that reflect too much light.Typical applications include electronic components, medical equipment and high-end consumer goods, and the process can be used to produce both efficient and attractive finished products.

That's the unique advantage of UV lasers.

Because UV lasers have short wavelengths and high energy density, they can be used to "cold process" materials, avoiding deformation and discoloration caused by heat.This characteristic makes it especially suitable for materials requiring high precision and surface integrity, such as electronic components and medical instruments.

The most suitable materials for ultraviolet laser marking.

Plastics and high molecular materials.

Many plastics (such as ABS, PC, and acrylic) and the cover films on flexible circuit boards can be marked with UV laser to produce clear and fine markings, and the high temperature will not melt the edges.This is especially true for white or light-colored plastics, where the contrast is very high.

Metal and alloy surface coatings.

Although metals are more suitable for fiber-optic lasers, for metals that are coated, anodized or painted (such as cell phone casings or aluminum alloy components), a UV laser can be used to precisely remove the coating without damaging the base material, making it suitable for fine designs that require the luster of the underlying material to be preserved.

Glass and ceramics.

UV lasers can be used to engrave glass without causing cracks, and are often used to mark wine bottles and optical lenses. They can also be used to create permanent marks on ceramic materials (such as those used in the manufacture of electronics) through the mild carbonization of the surface, which results in higher contrast than conventional laser marking.

These are the pitfalls to avoid.

Though UV lasers are powerful, they are not omnipotent.Dark, light-absorbing materials (such as some rubbers or plastics) may blur the mark due to excess heat absorption; highly reflective materials (such as mirrors) may also affect the mark by reflecting the energy.We suggest that you first try a small-scale test, and then mass-produce.

Recommendations for practical application.

In terms of personal experience, the ultraviolet laser marking machine has performed particularly well in the areas of marking QR codes on electronic components, marking trace codes on medical devices, and preventing counterfeiting of luxury goods.If the main materials being processed are any of the above, then a UV laser will be more convenient than a fiber laser or a CO2 laser.