Stirling
Hot Rolled
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2013
- Location
- Alberta canada
I have a product being developed made for 6061 t6 that is type 3 hardcoat anodized.
Samples where sent out to anodizing with different tumbling media used, sandblasted, raw machined ect. to see the effects of post processing.
All of the samples came back great with no issues EXCEPT where I had laser engraved some text. The text was engraved using a desktop fiber laser with a approximatly 0.002" deep removal, engraved pre tumble finishing. At these points there is some blotching of the anodyzing, it reminds me if when the acid is not rinsed well and the color does not take in spots. but it is only at the laser sights.
both tumbled and raw machined samples xibit this same issue at the laser text on multiple surfaces.
my initial thoughts where surface tension held some acid and it was not washed well, but no other features have caused this including stamped text or sand blasted surfaces. so i would rule out surface tension. all other samples with no laser on them came out fantastic.
any input from the commmunity? i love the look of the lasered text where it did not blemish, but most had issues. i can laser post anodizing, but then it is white and "pops" visually. id prefer the more subtle look IMO
both lasered after machining, worse blemished one was also tumbled after laser engraved
Samples where sent out to anodizing with different tumbling media used, sandblasted, raw machined ect. to see the effects of post processing.
All of the samples came back great with no issues EXCEPT where I had laser engraved some text. The text was engraved using a desktop fiber laser with a approximatly 0.002" deep removal, engraved pre tumble finishing. At these points there is some blotching of the anodyzing, it reminds me if when the acid is not rinsed well and the color does not take in spots. but it is only at the laser sights.
both tumbled and raw machined samples xibit this same issue at the laser text on multiple surfaces.
my initial thoughts where surface tension held some acid and it was not washed well, but no other features have caused this including stamped text or sand blasted surfaces. so i would rule out surface tension. all other samples with no laser on them came out fantastic.
any input from the commmunity? i love the look of the lasered text where it did not blemish, but most had issues. i can laser post anodizing, but then it is white and "pops" visually. id prefer the more subtle look IMO
both lasered after machining, worse blemished one was also tumbled after laser engraved