Zinc Alloy

[Mark Maslonkowski]

Has anyone engraved zinc alloy products with there co2 laser. I am assuming I would need to use cemark.

[Mark Sipes]

Don't believe Cermark is the answer. Brass and Nickel Silver are both zinc alloys and I have been unable to get Cermark to adhere to any item which does not contain Iron. Stainless Steel being the Best Overall... Maybe the chromium added to the steel is the key....

[Dave Sheldrake]

True Zinc alloy (Maizak) is dreadful stuff to work with and can vary from very clean to melted down toy cars, even if you get it to work the next item from the same product line may well have a totally different composition.

cheers

Dave

[Mark Sipes]

Mark can you give us an idea what it is that you are attempting to laser. I rotary/drag engrave most of my medals that are zinc based but there is a way to laser text on a 1 3/4 - 2 " medal if that is the subject.

[Dan Hintz]

If you insist on lasering zinc items, please make sure your ventilation system is working properly. Your lungs will thank you.

[Dave Sheldrake]

Zinc Flu Dan?

I remember it well after welding Galvanised ;)

[Dan Hintz]

Yeppers... not permanent, but still quite unpleasant.

[Mark Maslonkowski]

We'll I think this answered my question. I had an opportunity to purchase lots(100's) of zinc alloy promotional items at an extreme discount, but what I have gathered here ,I wouldn't be able to do much with them on my laser.

[Mark Sipes]

Depending on what the items are (big secret) you may have a market for the items. Just need to find a mechanical engraver that can mark them (sub out) ...

Wild guess: Key chains ?