DuraBlack

Both field experience and laboratory tests have confirmed that black anodized aluminum fades  outside, making labels unreadable. In response to these reported problems,  R&D department  tried to  develop a durable outdoor product that could be marked with any CO2 laser. DuraBlack is the result of this work.

It can be used to create outdoor signage, orientation plates, exterior monument plates, labels for military and industrial assets, bar codes and industrial plates / diagrams.

We are used to think that metal is durable, however many laser marking metals are not durable in outdoor use.

Even anodized aluminum, long considered as a  very durable product, revealed to be sensitive to outdoor condition environments  and abrasion.

When choosing a durable laser-marking metal, be sure to find one  specified  for outdoor use. If you  plan to work with industrial or military suppliers, find a laser-marking metal that is specified according to important military specifications like A-A-50271 and MIL-STD-15024F, Type L.  Durablack is the right choice.

Durablack and Alumamark are two Co2 lasers imaged real metals.

Both have similar   characteristics in terms of reproduction sharpness , speed and ease of use,  but  marking results and final uses are different.

On  Durablack : the laser  spot will produce a white mark on  the black background, result being close  to engraving although there is no hollow.  Marking is in negative  (aluminum on black)

On Alumamark : the laser  spot will produce  a black mark by chemical  transformation  of the  plate surface.  Marking is in  positive (black on aluminum)

In terms of durability, Alumamark is meant for indoor use (varnish or protective film required for outdoor use), while Durablack is designed for outdoor applications and complies with  major  industrial and military specifications. 

Durablack being certified with military standards, this opens up many opportunities in military and industrial fields .

This is probably the most lucrative space that DuraBlack offers, but it is also ideal for current outdoor signage.

In addition of internal tests,  an independent laboratory (Detroit Testing Laboratory) tested Durablack  in terms of UV / sunlight,  abrasion, heat, salt spray and chemical resistances, resulting in  several key military specification certifications, including: MIL-STD-130, A-A-50271 and MIL-DTL-15024F.

In terms of outdoor exposure, DuraBlack withstood 5,000 hours - corresponding to  approximately 8 to 10 years - of accelerated UV light and weather conditions in a Q-Sun UV chamber.

Regarding abrasive environments, it withstood 4,000 cycles on a 1 Kg loaded abrasive belt .

When tested at high  temperatures in an air oven, DuraBlack remained readable after one hour at 371 degrees.

To simulate conditions in marine environments, such as commercial or military ships or  shipping containers, DuraBlack was placed in a salt spray corrosion chamber. It withstood 30 days of exposure to salt spray according to ASTM standards.

Finally, to assess performances in corrosive / chemical environments, it was immersed in industrial fluids in accordance with military requirements (MIL-STD-810G). DuraBlack withstood 96 hours of these  harsh exposure conditions and remained legible.

Laser Markable Metals (LMM) refer to materials that appear metallic and can be marked with a CO2 laser. Fiber lasers and Yag lasers mark some  metals but are more expensive and less common

DIFFERENT REACTIONS ON LMM

According to marking results with a CO2 laser, LMMs are classified into 4 groups :

Engraving :  Color surface is removed or burnt by laser (FIGURE 1).

Examples: Rowmark,  Metalgraph Plus, IPI LaserMetallic Brush, lacquered aluminum, DuraBlack

Whitening :  Metal turned white by laser heat (FIGURE 2).

Examples: Black anodized aluminum , LazerWhite.

Ceramic bonding :  A coating is applied  (brush, spray) on the metal and fixed by the heat of  laser  (FIGURE 3).

Examples: CerMark, TherMark

Positive image transformation :    pre-coated metal is marked by a surface chemical transformation  (FIGURE 4).

Examples: AlumaMark  and  laserable anodized mirror aluminum (LAMA)

METAL CHOICE

Each metal and each marking method has  its own advantages and disadvantages, the most important being the finished product rendering. No matter for your customers how the plate is engraved  as long as the finished product meets their  expectations.
 

When selecting a LMM, 3 points should  be taken into account : 

1. Basic material : LMMs are made of aluminum, steel, brass or even metal looking plastic Proper  material should be chosen according to customer's needs.

2.  Marking type : :  most LMM appear metallic, although some just include a metallic paint.

When imaged with a CO2 laser, some form a black “positive” mark (black mark on a metallic background) and others are imaged up to a white “negative” mark (white mark on a black or metallic background).

Select  material that creates appearance requested by your customer.

3. Durability : It is a common idea that something made of   metal  is durable. This is simply not the case for LMMs. Some are specified for outdoor use, others  not. When choosing a durable  LMM, be sure  that it is meant  for outdoor use. If you plan to work with industrial or military suppliers, make sure your LMM meets military specifications (Durablack).

Depending on all above points (Metal / Plastic, Positive or Negative Marking, indoor / outdoor use) you can choose appropriate material.