Corrosion and chemical resistance for marked / engraved stainless steel. "laser engraving" of stainless is fusion at high temperature by laser resulting in black permanent image on steel.
Corrosion and chemical resistance for marked / engraved stainless steel. "laser engraving" of stainless is fusion at high temperature by laser resulting in black permanent image on steel.
Laser marks were made on type 304 stainless steel tags
similar results for type 316 stainless steel
Tags were totally immersed in the test solutions.
Exposure Time
Organic Solvents
1 Hour
12 Hours
24 Hours
1 Week
Gasoline
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
Limonene
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
Methyl Ethyl Ketone
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
N-Butanol
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
Mineral Spirits
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
Xylene
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
Acetone
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
Propylene Carbonate
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
Ethanol
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
DMSO
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
Motor Oil
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
Acid/Bases
Hydrochloric Acid 35%
No effect
No effect
Test stopped - see notes
Nitric Acid 68%
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
Sulfuric Acid (conc.)
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
Acetic Acid 99.5%
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
Hydrogrn Peroxide 30%
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
Sodium Hydroxide 25%
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
Ammonium Hydroxide 20%
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
Other
Boiling H2O
Marks soaked in boiling water for 1 hr. - no effect
LN2 (Cold)
Marks dipped in liquid nitrogen - no effect
Flame (Hot)
Marks heated in a propane flame until cherry red - metal
discolors, no effect on mark.
Hot/Cold Cycling
Marks heated red hot and immediately plunged in liquid nitrogen
- metal discolors, no effect on mark
Notes:
Hydrochloric acid testing:
- Acid dissolves the steel tag and was not run over 12 hrs. long
- After 1 hr. acid dissolved 0.2767 gms off of steel tag (4.7%),
laser mark was unaffected.
- After 12 hrs. acid dissolved 1.8057 gms off of steel tag (30.6%),
laser mark was unaffected, now having a distinctly raised feel.
Sulfuric acid testing:
- Acid discolors at approximately 96 hrs., mark appears to be
slightly discolored.
About the Author
Dennis Hughes
Owner and manager and operator of MyChoice@Firebridge
Started engraving in 2005.
Previous expertise in Internet servers and web site management
Product design, printing and manufacturing
Textile coating and lamination
Coatings and pigment technology
Paint and ink formulation
BSc Chemistry
Comments on Stainless steel engraving and corrosion resistance
