What to Know About Laser Marking on Corrosion-Resistant Surfaces

At TYKMA Electrox, our laser systems are adept at corrosion-resistant laser engraving for use on various single- and multi-use tools and equipment. Our systems optimize these products by marking them for essential tracking and identification purposes.

Because tools for many industries must avoid corrosion, they undergo passivation which is a treatment process consisting of coating metals in order to reduce the chemical reactivity on the surface.

Let’s take a look at some specifics of corrosion-resistant laser marking and engraving and some of the benefits it can provide.

Medical Devices Require Corrosion-Resistant Laser Marking

Medical equipment and devices are made from materials for mechanical strength and corrosion resistance.

• These steel types made from stainless steel have a natural corrosion-resistant layer consisting of chromium oxide

• During passivation, iron is removed from the surface of the material which leads to removing any potential corrosion

A common mark required by the medical device industry is a “dark or annealed mark.” This type of laser marking on corrosion-resistant metals will not remove any of the material from the equipment. In addition, this avoids a potential occurrence for contamination to collect and corrode, simplifying the process of laser marking on corrosion-resistant materials.

Applied by our laser markers, the creation of the marks requires a buildup of a specific oxide that turns dark at a certain level of thickness. This process is contributed to by a quantity of heat that is applied, which can damage the passive layer on the marked surface.

• There are a number of passivation processes that use citric or nitric acid
• These processes occur at room temperature of an elevated temperature for a set duration

From our laser marking perspective, citric acid is preferred as it tends to be gentler on the laser engraving on corrosion-resistant surfaces. In addition, laser marking is the only option for devices that require passivation. One alternative, an ink-jet mark, is nonpermanent and contains materials and chemicals that are not FDA-approved, making laser marking the superior choice.

Manufacturers for medical devices needing these marks have struggled with making anticorrosion marks on stainless-steel metals. However, with our systems being adept at laser marking on corrosion-resistant surfaces, we can help them.

Some of the medical products that utilize our systems include:

• Dental implants and hand tools
• Electronic and laboratory equipment
• Surgical instruments and tools
• IV access components and syringes
• Medical remanufacturing tools

Other Industries That Commonly Use Corrosion-Resistant Laser Marking

In addition to the medical industry, there’s an extensive list of other fields that can benefit from corrosion-resistant laser marking. Some other industries that have a need for laser marking corrosion-resistant materials include:

• Military and defense – Laser engraving on corrosion-resistant equipment can ensure that serial numbers, identification codes, safety warnings, and other essential information remains legible in harsh environments.
• Electronics – Using corrosion-resistant laser marking is ideal for model codes, manufacturer logos, quality control information, security features, labeling, operating instructions, and much more!
• Products and goods – This field often uses laser marking for logos, brand names, symbols, serial numbers, expiration dates, barcodes, heating instructions, assembly instructions, and many more corrosion-resistant marks.
• Oil and gas – Laser marking can be used on corrosion-resistant materials to supply operating parameters, inspection dates, maintenance requirements, and safety warnings.
• General industrial – Laser engraving corrosion-resistant materials can aid in supplying date codes on products and components, machinery labeling, operating instructions, part numbers, and other forms of critical information.
• Semiconductors – Laser marking can be used to imprint corrosion-resistant semiconductor identifiers such as lot numbers, part numbers, encrypted codes, inspection codes, test parameters, test dates, and more!
• Aerospace – Using corrosion-resistant laser marking on parts that need to endure harsh conditions is extremely beneficial for this field, including when it comes to relaying critical safety information, operating instructions, and material tracking information.
• Automotive – Utilizing corrosion-resistant laser marking for logos, product information, certification marks, production dates, serial numbers, safety information, and airbag deployment images is very advantageous in this field.

Regulations for Laser Marking on Corrosion-Resistant Surfaces

The Food and Drug Administration passed a law in 2007 that requires a specific identifier on medical devices. The legislation calls for a Unique Device Identification (UDI) to be implemented on medical devices and packaging with a specifically formatted machine-readable code.

Prior to the UDI marking requirements, manufacturers used laser marking for depth aides, as well as logos for aesthetic purposes, so the industry was previously aware of some of the benefits of laser marking.

The dark marks that are produced from laser marking on corrosion-resistant surfaces are optimal because they are able to:

• Provide visibility from all angles
• Avoid removal of materials that are vulnerable to contamination
• Maintain product quality from the manufacturer to the end user

Standardizing these dark markings brings reliability, consistency, and clarity to the identification and traceability process, making them perfect for fulfilling the FDA guidelines.

Selecting a System for Corrosion-Resistant Laser Marking

Some manufacturers struggle with creating long-lasting marks on corrosion-resistant surfaces, due to either using the right laser with the wrong settings or using the wrong laser for the specific mark desired.

Even after selecting a suitable laser source for the marking, remember:

• It is important to implement the correct amount of heat to the process for the specific part and marking
• The size of the letters, the number of the letters, and the thermal mass of the part are important factors to the marking

Parameters can be adjusted on the laser and it is important to get instant feedback from a passivation test. It is also vital to use a uniform heat source in order to control the rate of heating and cooling. This is the foundation to fine-tuning a specific laser marking on corrosion-resistant metals.

The source needed to produce corrosion-resistant laser engravings is directly related to the surface finish, the material, and the speed of the required mark. This can be done with a standard fiber laser marker.

• The fiber laser mark that undergoes passivation will look similar to one that does not
• The picosecond laser mark surface appears to be significantly different with micro-features when compared to the surface metal

Choosing the right laser source for the required mark will lead to stability in the laser marking production. This is important because there can be significant costs and problems that follow an unsuccessful mark or inconsistent production which can include:

• The re-working of parts
• Late delivery schedules
• Varying yields
• Delayed production

In addition to saving labor costs and avoiding issues, a reliable machine makes for an overall smoother manufacturing process, giving you yet another reason to start laser marking on corrosion-resistant materials and surfaces.

The Right Laser Marker for You

Here at TYKMA Electrox, we are able to offer the following services to manufacturers requiring laser marking with UDI:

• Custom software solutions for factory automation and data handshaking
• UDI-ready laser engraving for corrosion-resistant metals
• Application and implementation assistance

We are accustomed to working with a variety of difficult materials, such as nickel plating and gold, as well as painted and anodized surfaces. Our laser systems that utilize MOPA fiber laser technology were created to be the very best in power, reliability, and consistency.

Advantages of our fiber laser marking systems include:

• Highest beam quality
• Compact design
• Air-cooling with air temperature operating capabilities
• Efficient low power consumption
• Maximum application flexibility
• Nearly maintenance-free

With our MOPA laser marking machines, there is flexibility and increased pulse control no matter the material or project. Utilizing selectable waveforms and a flexible frequency range, we are able to assist you with your laser marking needs.

Our Line of MOPA Fiber Laser Machines for Laser Marking Corrosion-Resistant Surfaces

TYKMA Electrox’s diverse fiber laser marking systems can provide corrosion-resistant laser marking to keep your operations running smoothly. Our line of MOPA fiber laser systems include:

Materials That Can Be Laser Marked

Some of the materials and surfaces that our laser engraving machines mark on include:

FAQs on Laser Engraving Corrosion-Resistant Materials

What maintenance is required for materials that have been laser engraved for corrosion resistance?

Materials that have corrosion-resistant laser markings can be regularly cleaned with mild soapy water, gently wiped using soft cloths, and should be periodically inspected for damage. Try to avoid intense cleaners, and consider reapplying protective coatings as needed!

Is laser engraving on corrosion-resistant materials suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications?

Yes! Laser markings on corrosion-resistant materials are meant to withstand harsh conditions and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.

What are some other advantages of using your MOPA fiber laser machines for corrosion-resistant laser marking compared to other systems?

Our MOPA fiber laser machines have the longest diode life – up to 100,000 hours – and are less vulnerable to the misalignment and adjustment problems that are commonly found in other laser machines.

Are there any limitations to the size or shape of materials that can undergo corrosion-resistant laser marking?

We have such a wide array of offerings for laser machines that you will be able to find one suitable for almost any size or shape of material! Plus, with our desktop, freestanding, and integration systems, you have diverse options when it comes to spacing concerns within your facility. If you have any specific application questions, please be sure to reach out.

If I have additional questions about corrosion-resistant laser marking, who can help?

Here at TYKMA Electrox, we offer 24/7 customer support! We also provide additional assistance such as helpful downloads, training, and tutorials.

When It Comes to Laser Marking on Corrosion-Resistant Materials, We Are a Step Above the Rest

Our specialized industrial laser marking and laser engraving on corrosion-resistant surfaces is designed to make production easier for you. We strive to customize parts and machines to your needs while maintaining strict regulations.

Contact us today to learn how TYKMA Electrox can provide the laser marking solutions you need. We look forward to hearing from you.

About the Author

Aaron Grimes

Former Strategic Sales and Global Product Manager