Analysis and application prospects of steel laser marking technology

Laser marking is an efficient and precise surface processing technology, which is widely used in the marking of metal and non-metal materials. This article analyzes whether steel is suitable for laser marking from three aspects: laser power, marking effect and marking speed.

Laser power

Laser power is one of the key factors affecting marking quality and efficiency. It is crucial to choose the right laser power according to the material properties and marking requirements.

1. High-power lasers

For stainless steel and alloy steel, high-power lasers ranging from 20W to 100W are usually used. These lasers can provide enough energy to form deep marks on the steel surface.

2. Medium- and low-power lasers

Medium- and low-power lasers (such as less than 10W) are suitable for shallow marking or surface treatment, and are suitable for marking thin steel plates or applications with high surface requirements, such as marking electronic components.

Selecting the appropriate power ensures that the marking effect is as expected while avoiding excessive melting or deformation of the material.

Marking Effect 

Marking effect is an important indicator for evaluating laser marking technology, which mainly includes the clarity, contrast, depth and surface smoothness of the mark.

1. Clarity and Contrast

Laser marking can produce high-contrast marks on stainless steel and carbon steel. By adjusting the laser power and speed, a clear, durable mark can be achieved.

2. Depth and Finish

Laser marking depth can be controlled by adjusting the power and speed. High-power, low-speed laser marking can produce deeper marks on the steel surface, suitable for applications that require wear resistance. Applications that require a high surface finish can be achieved by reducing the power and increasing the speed.

The marking effect is also related to the laser wavelength and pulse frequency. Fiber lasers are suitable for high-quality marking of steel with their excellent beam quality and shorter wavelength (usually 1064nm), and can form fine marks without increasing the heat-affected zone.

Marking speed

Marking speed is an important factor affecting production efficiency. Speed selection needs to balance the depth and clarity of the mark.

1. High-speed marking

High-power lasers combined with high-speed scanning systems can achieve fast marking. For mass production applications, such as automotive parts and tool equipment, marking speeds are usually 500-1000mm/s or even higher, suitable for shallow marking and surface treatment.

2. Slow-speed marking

Slow-speed marking is suitable for deep and high-contrast marking. At lower speeds, the laser energy is concentrated in a smaller area, which can form a deep mark. Applications that require wear-resistant deep marks, such as nameplates and serial numbers, may have a marking speed between 50-200mm/s.

Marking speed selection also needs to consider heat input and material thermal conductivity. Too high a speed may result in unclear marking, and too low a speed may cause excessive heat accumulation, affecting the surface quality of the steel.

Steel can be effectively marked with lasers. High-quality, durable marking can be achieved by properly selecting and optimizing laser power, marking speed, and process parameters. High-power lasers are suitable for deep and high-contrast marking, while medium and low-power lasers are suitable for fine and shallow surface marking. The selection of marking speed needs to balance production efficiency and marking quality to meet the needs of different applications. Laser marking technology provides a flexible, efficient, and reliable solution for steel marking and is widely used in multiple industries.