# Laser Marking

> Permanent identification with zero dimensional change: serials, logos and codes burned in, not stuck on.

- Process group: Marking
- HTML page: https://fabvector.com/finishes/laser-marking (Portuguese: https://fabvector.com/pt/finishes/laser-marking)

## Specifications

| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Coating thickness | No added material — the laser alters the surface to <50 µm depth (annealing, engraving or layer ablation). On anodized parts the mark exposes bright base metal through the dyed oxide. |
| Tolerance impact | None on dimensions — marking depth is tens of microns at most and annealing marks add nothing. Safe on finished precision parts; only avoid marking directly on sealing or bearing surfaces. |
| Corrosion rating | Essentially unchanged — annealing marks on stainless preserve the passive layer; deep engraving on coated parts locally exposes substrate (specify mark type for corrosive service). |
| Appearance | High-contrast dark-on-light or light-on-dark graphics: black annealing on stainless and titanium, bright metal through black anodize, dark marks on most plastics. Resolution supports logos, scales, QR/Data Matrix and UDI codes. |
| Applicable substrates | aluminum, stainless-steel, steel, titanium, copper-alloys, specialty-metals, plastics |

## Not suitable for

Transparent plastics where contrast is poor — PMMA and PC need special parameters or are better silk-screened; mirror-polished cosmetic faces where any surface alteration is objectionable; marks requiring multiple colors (laser gives one tone — use silk screening); very heat-sensitive thin sections where local heat input could distort.

## Conditional compatibility

- **acrylic-pmma**: Limited contrast on transparent material — marks read frosted-white at best; silk screening preferred for legible graphics.
- **polycarbonate**: Limited contrast on transparent material — special parameters required; silk screening preferred for legible graphics.

## Typical applications

- Serial numbers and traceability codes
- UDI marking on medical devices
- Brand logos on visible product parts
- Panel scales, legends and datum labels