Processes Color Change/Frothing

Color Change/Frothing

Plastics absorb laser light. The color pigments (from additives, colors etc.) and carbon in plastics are destroyed and vaporize as a result of localized heating. A color change becomes visible and the frothing of the material can be felt.

The carbon in the plastic oxidizes to form CO2, which comes out of the plastic and forms a layer of froth. 

The discoloration is either lighter or darker depending on the composition. Dark plastics discolor to white at the places to be marked, while light plastics discolor to gray or black (see carbonization).

Discoloration and frothing appear exclusively in case of plastics. 

Suitable laser systems:

• Fiber laser marker
• UV laser marker

PEEK medical devices

PEEK (Polyetheretherketon) is especially appropriate for most medical applications because it is highly temperature resistant and thus can be repeatedly sterilized, furthermore it is biocompatible and transparent for x-ray examination. PEEK is frequently being used for implants, mesh implants or dental implants.

The best marking results can be achieved with pulsed Ytterbium fiber lasers of the FOBA Y-Series.

The PEEK implant shown aside serves as an interbody spacer for spinal fusion surgery. It has been laser marked with a tiny code to ensure safe traceability throughout its whole product life cycle. 

• Fiber laser pulsed
• Laser marking: Color change/frothing

Cannula

Hygienic laser engraving and marking of plastics for medical technology with the help of UV laser markers. The product surface is colored photochemically. The marking process produces such little heat, that sensitive products and delicate materials remain largely unharmed. The surface of materials marked in such a manner remains smooth, making it impossible for germs to take root. 
 
With a typical pulse duration of 20 ns and a radiation diameter of 10 µm, the UV marking laser colors the surface without damaging it. This process can be used to mark medical products such as cannulas or insulin pumps and it ensures that the labels are long-lasting and sterilizable . 

Height of the marking data: 1.5 mm
Marking time: 11.4 s

• UV laser marker

Go to Case Study

Animal ear tags

Typical color change marking on an animal ear tag made of rubber compounds, as is used for marking and identification in livestock farms.

• Fiber laser markers
• Laser marking: Color change/frothing

ID and chip cards

Typical color change marking as so-called grayscale marking with very high resolution. 
In such grayscale markings, a gray tone can be assigned to every point. Complete passport photos can thus be developed with high resolution and excellent marking quality using lasers.
Typical areas of application are card and ID personalization.

• Laser marking: Color change/frothing

Automobile component made of plastic that was specially manufactured for laser marking

Color change on a plastic that was specially manufactured for laser marking. Laser marking bleaches the dark plastic and the marking becomes visible.

• Laser Marking System
• Fiber Laser Marker
• UV Laser Marker
• Laser Marking