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Laser Marking Application Case: Deep Engraving on Carbon Steel

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2026-07-18

Laser Marking Application Case: Deep Engraving on Carbon Steel

Equipment Configuration: Chuangxin MFP-50W Fiber Laser

Deep engraving on carbon steel is a very common requirement in industry—mold numbers, tool stamps, and permanent identification marks on components all require “carving” grooves with measurable depth into carbon steel. Carbon steel is softer than stainless steel, making deep engraving relatively easier, but process details still require attention.

I. Deep Engraving Principle

Carbon steel deep engraving relies on high-energy laser layer-by-layer material removal. Compared to stainless steel, carbon steel has slightly better thermal conductivity and lower hardness, therefore:

  • Engraving speed is faster than on stainless steel
  • Greater depth is achieved with the same parameters
  • Less wear on the laser source

II. Equipment Configuration

Item Parameter
Laser Source Chuangxin MFP-50W Acousto-Optic Q-Switched Pulsed Fiber Laser
Wavelength 1064nm
Repetition Rate Range 45-170 kHz
Single Pulse Energy 1-1.5 mJ
Cooling Method Air-cooled

III. Parameter Reference

Recommended Starting Parameters

Parameter Recommended Value Notes
Power 70-90% High power provides sufficient energy
Speed 200-500 mm/s Carbon steel engraving speed can be higher than stainless steel
Frequency 20-35 kHz Low frequency increases single-pulse energy
Hatch Spacing 0.05-0.1mm Deep engraving hatch does not need to be too dense
Fill Method Bidirectional / Cross fill Cross fill produces a flatter bottom
Number of Passes 3-15 Determined by target depth

Depth and Passes Reference

Target Depth Reference Passes Comparison with Stainless Steel
0.1mm 2-4 Approximately 1.5x faster than stainless steel
0.3mm 6-10 Fewer passes needed for the same depth
0.5mm 12-20 Pay attention to intermediate cooling
1.0mm 30-50 Requires multi-layer strategy

IV. Key Technical Points

1. Layered Engraving

Same as with stainless steel, control each layer to 0.05-0.1mm depth to avoid excessive depth in one pass causing slag accumulation at the bottom.

2. Focus Compensation

Carbon steel deep engraving also requires attention to focus shift. When depth exceeds 0.3mm, it is recommended to re-focus or use progressive Z-axis compensation.

3. Auxiliary Air Blowing

Compressed air blowing is mandatory, serving to:

  • Remove slag and prevent re-melting accumulation
  • Reduce the heat-affected zone and prevent edge oxidation discoloration
  • Protect the field lens

4. Carbon Steel “Advantage”

Carbon steel generates less slag during engraving than stainless steel, with fewer spatters and lower field lens contamination.

V. Effect Characteristics

  • Depth: 0.1-1.0mm, controllable
  • Bottom Texture: Matte, V-shaped or U-shaped groove bottom
  • Edges: Clean and sharp
  • Color: Deep black (oxide layer)
  • Wear Resistance: Excellent

VI. Precautions

  1. 50W engraving limit: 1mm depth can be achieved on carbon steel, but efficiency drops significantly. If the customer needs depths above 1.5mm, 70W/100W or mechanical engraving is recommended
  2. Thin sheet deformation: Carbon steel sheets below 1mm are prone to deformation during deep engraving; use thicker plates or add heat dissipation fixtures
  3. Rust issues: Deep engraving areas destroy the carbon steel surface protective layer; anti-rust treatment is recommended after marking
  4. Cooling intervals: Let the equipment rest for 30 seconds every 5-8 passes to avoid laser overheating
  5. Material hardness impact: Quenched carbon steel is harder than ordinary carbon steel, increasing engraving difficulty; reduce speed or increase passes

    6. VII. Application Scenarios

    • Mold numbers / identification
    • Stamps / tool marking
    • Mechanical component permanent identification
    • Carbon steel nameplate deep engraving
    • Hardware product brand marking
    • Industrial identification requiring tamper resistance

    Summary: Deep engraving on carbon steel is easier than on stainless steel—greater depth and faster speed with the same parameters. The 50W power is sufficient for depths up to 0.5mm, with 20-30 passes achieving practical depth. The key is layered engraving + air blowing, with attention to rust protection.

    *Actual engraving results vary significantly depending on carbon steel hardness and carbon content. It is recommended to create samples before batch production.*

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