Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Laser Etching of Anodized Aluminum -Is a polished look possible?

2006

We are manufacturing extruded aluminum faceplate for a high-end audio product.

We want to laser-etch the anodized (Black) aluminum faceplate down to the metal.
Our prototype results come out sharp, but white in color.

Is it even possible to get a polished or silver metal look using a laser?

Joshua Driggs
High-end Audio - Austin, Texas

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2006

Hi I have some black anodised aluminum that has been laser marked and it's very silver coloured.
To do this you must have the part marked/etched with an Nd yag Q switched laser marker/dpss, also most laser markers are CO2 and they mostly are too small.
In a previous life I designed hi end hifi and pro audio.

Andrew Hunt
inventor - Raglan, Wales

What you see is normal. All the laser (co2) does in your situation is "bleaching" out the dye (in your case black). Even if you polish the part prior to anodizing you still will get a whit look on the lasered areas. You most likely need to try a yag laser which actually removes material and will show the bare metal. But remember it will also remove the anodize with that. Hope this helped.

Pascal Barth
- Santa Ana, California, USA
2006