Engraving on stainless steel.

The result is black image chemically fused into the metal

Method used is to coat the clean metal surface with Cermark ® a product of Ferro Corporation

Marks on stainless steel survived the following tests:

• Abrasion (scratch resistance)
• Salt water spray
• Lubricants
• Blow torch (available in spray cans)

Fine detail can be achieved with excellent outdoor durability.

Detail plant illustations on stainless panels are commonly used where such information is required with long term life

eg Firefighting equipment, control panels of machinery in heavy duty environments, Air conditioning control panels

electrical cabinets. Underwater identification and valve tags.

example USB stainless steel device

example of plan for fire fighting system showing pipes, valves, and control points.

Most aluminium items are anodised.

• The resulting surface from anodising, is harder than original aluminium
  Often used when aluminium is used outdoors e.g. window frames, architectural features.
• Surface is also more resistant to corrosion
• Colour of anodising depends on chemicals used in the process
  some colours are more lightfast than others.
  Common colours are:-
  • Black
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Green
  • Blue
  • Red
    Various shades of colours are produced with varying the anodising chemicals and conditions
• Laser engraving of the surface removed the anodising and replaces with a white aluminium oxides

As a result of engaving the image shows up as white. This is most dramatic with darker colour surfaces.

In case of lighter colours and particularly silver the lower contrast results in beautiful soft effect. often related to wedding items

Another form of aluminium commonly seen is coated or powder coated aluminium

When engraved the coating is removed leaving white / silver image with pleasing results

Polished and Brushed Aluminium ( no anodised surface )

Laser will mark this surface with a crisp black image.

This is achieved by coating with chemically active coat, then fusing this to the metal with laser. Excess coating is washed off the surface leaving black image where laser has reacted and bonded this with the metal.