Surface Analysis Study of Laser Marking Process of Stainless Steel X5CrNi18-10

Nowadays, traceability, combined with stable and constant identification of industrial parts, is becoming a crucial element of production processes. Laser marking of metal parts is a technology that shows many advantages compared to labeling, inkjet, or dot marking. The advantages include no consumables, faster cycle time, reliability and repeatability of the process, and stability of the markings. In this article, we aim to study the physics associated with the process of laser colour marking on stainless steel X5CrNi18-10 In a certain range of changes in the technological parameters of 20 W fiber laser. Different color characteristics of the surface are also discussed with regard to the laser parameters. The influence of the raster step, the relative speed of the laser beam, as well as the laser pulses frequency on the color marking process were studied. Test fields consisting of matrices of squares have been created. The laser marking is realized with different parameters for each square. Photographic material of the samples in the processing area is presented. A high-resolution metallographic microscope was used. A universal methodology was used to determine the saturation of the studied colors. Experimental studies were conducted several times in order to verify the repeatability of the results. The influence of the parameters of the laser process on the obtained concrete colour is analyzed and the results are summarized. Intervals of the parameters of processing under laser influence for obtaining a specific colour on this steel are also determined.