Letter 27002

Applying color to a laser engraved graphic on a color anodized part [South Carolina] 

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We are producing a small aluminium body that we are color anodizing, specifically a deep purple. We then use a 25W CO2 laser to engrave a graphic on one of the surfaces. The color of the graphic is WHITE. By this color I assume that we have only bleached out the purple and have not removed the anodic layer? If I am correct in this, my question is does anyone have a suggestion as to what I can then apply to this graphic to color it, say to an orange. Can I anodize the entire body in orange and it only color the graphic?

Thanks for any help.

Michael Smith
product engineer - Anderson, SC, USA

Hi,

Unfortunately the laser etch is not only bleaching the colour out, but the intensity of the laser would be annealing the substrate, colouring requires an open oxide cell (Process - Anodize,colour,seal) Sealing would have already been done after D/Purple finish obtained in the colouring process. You may do well to consult a screen printer to apply an orange two pack polyurethane over your laser etch.

Robert Fyfe
Audio Eng. - Wyoming, NSW, Australia

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