Laser Etching Stainless Steel Corrosion

If we laser etch before passivation the area of laser etch corrodes after autoclaving.

Laser etching stainless steel corrosion.

Laser marking of stainless steel using the pulsed fiber laser spi g3 is described in the contribution. There is a growing need to apply identification informational and logo marks to stainless steel devices and products and these marks must meet several strict criteria which largely preclude the use of traditional non laser techniques such as printing or engraving. This thin protective layer is composed of chromium oxide. The primary material in use is stainless steel 17 4 ph heat treated to h 900 condition.

Our systems optimize these products by marking them for essential tracking and identification. Many stainless steel medical tools and devices require passivation to help withstand corrosion and handle numerous autoclave cycles. For high speed marking laser etching is the best process for steel surfaces. At tykma electrox our laser systems are adept at corrosion resistant laser engraving for use on various single and multi use stainless steel tools and equipment.

Laser engraving stainless steel leads to corrosion. At the same time these parts also require laser marking for identification tracking and traceability in accordance with new unique device identification udi requirements. Chromium oxide is formed naturally when chromium reacts with oxygen. The conclusion drawn for their study was the surface finishing of stainless.

Laser engraving should be used to get the most resistant marks. In fact any method that digs markings on the surface deep or shallow will remove this layer. Laser engraving stainless steel removes an important protective layer. After laser etching part numbers we have the instruments passivated for corrosion resistance.

After passivation our laser etching is all but non existent. Laser annealing which creates marks under the surface offers the best resistance to corrosion. You can laser mark anodized steel carbon steel die steel stainless steel or any steel alloy. Some of the latest results of the material analysis and corrosion tests of the laser treated material are presented.

Because stainless steel tools must avoid corrosion they undergo passivation which is a treatment process consisting of coating metals. Possibilities and limitations of steel laser marking are discussed.