Anodized aluminum, painted metals

It is especially easy to mark anodized aluminum or painted metal using CO2 lasers. When engraving anodized aluminum, the marked surface appears white, which is why dark anodizing agents result in particularly good contrast. In painted metals the paint coating is removed and the base metal appears. Since CO2 lasers cannot mark metals directly without supplemental means (or without severe limitations), the metallic surface remains intact.

This application can also be handled with low-wattage laser systems, since little power is needed. Too much power should never be used, since this has a negative impact on the fine details of the marking.

Anodized aluminum is used especially in sign production (e.g. nameplates), in the advertising sector (e.g. ballpoint pens or key rings). But anodized aluminum is also a popular material in the industrial sector.