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The following information is presented here courtesy of The Engravers Journal. More information may be available by visiting the EJ web site (www.engraversjournal.com) and checking out EJ’s archive of articles (1975-present). Key word searches may be performed using the EJ Index of Articles, and most back issues (1975-present) are available.

LASERABLE METALS —OVERVIEW

Since the advent and widespread popularity of laser engraving and laser marking, and particularly the increased market share garnered by CO2 lasers, manufacturers have developed a number of specially coated metals designed for CO2 laser engraving.

One such material is classified as a laser colorable aluminum. This is a type of aluminum which is coated with a heat-sensitive coating which changes color when heated by a laser beam.

Another is a dual coated metal sheet, e.g. brass. Typically the metal sheet is highly polished and then coated with a clear (non laserable) polymer coating and then over-coated with an opaque (laserable) surface coating in a contrasting color. During lasering, the laser beam cuts away the opaque surface coating, exposing the brightly polished metal, while leaving the clear lacquer coating to protect the metal against aerial oxidation.

Anodized aluminum is aluminum which has a hard oxide coating in various colors such as black, red, blue, etc. During lasering, the laser cuts away the anodized coating exposing the underlying aluminum.