Processing of metal

Femtosecond lasers enable the production of complex shapes and features, while also providing the capability to perform black/white marking and coloring without the need for chemical additives.

Glass Metal Polymer Other materials
Metal

Metal surface texturing

It is possible to functionalize metal surfaces by creating intricate and complex geometries by irradiating the material with femtosecond pulses. Operating near ablation threshold energy levels allows the production of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS), which alter the metal’s surface properties, improving light absorption (black marking), adjusting wettability, enhancing tribology, and creating anti-bacterial surfaces.

The FemtoLux 30 is used in metal surface texturing and functionalization. The laser source can texture master molds, such as aluminum molds, with intricate geometries on the surface. Another application is the formation of anti-bacterial surfaces by texturing the metal in a way that reduces cell adhesion. By precisely tuning the pulse energy, hierarchical structures with nano-features can be formed on the metal surface, significantly reducing bacteria adhesion.

Grid surface texturing with LIPSS of nitinol

Grid surface texturing with LIPSS of nitinol.

Courtesy of UNIMORE.

Manufacturing examples

Triangular surface texturing with LIPSS of stainless steel.

Courtesy of UNIMORE.

Textured aluminum molds.

Courtesy of FTMC.

Recommended products

FemtoLux

Industrial Femtosecond Lasers
  • 50 W / >300 µJ at 1030 nm
  • 20 W / >50 µJ at 515 nm
  • 10 W / >25 µJ at 343 nm
  • < 350 fs – 1 ps
  • Single shot to 4 MHz (AOM controlled)
  • MHz, GHz, MHz+GHz burst modes

Similar applications

Optical photograph of laser milled aluminium Fresnel lens mould, diameter 35 mm.
MHz burst usage in increasing femtosecond removal efficiency in aluminum, copper and stainless steel

Femtosecond processing of materials faces a significant challenge in terms of process throughput. There exists an optimal fluence value at which the most efficient material removal occurs.
Stainless steel cutting
Various metal type processing

Femtosecond lasers excel in machining metals, primarily due to their ultra-short pulse duration, which ensures superior processing quality with no burrs, minimal heat-affected zones, and high precision. Metals, especially thin metal foils, are integral to modern engineering and manufacturing. Femtosecond lasers enable the production of complex shapes and features in these materials.
Black marking of tweezers.
Black/color marking of metals

One of the largest applications of lasers is metal marking and coloring. Femtosecond lasers can structure the metal surface, making it rough and highly absorbent of incident light, resulting in high-contrast black markings. These markings not only provide high contrast but also exhibit strong resistance to environmental effects. Additionally, by gently heating metal surface and carefully managing the thickness of the oxide layer formed on the surface, specific colors can be achieved.
Grid surface texturing with LIPSS of nitinol
Metal surface texturing

It is possible to functionalize metal surfaces by creating intricate and complex geometries by irradiating the material with femtosecond pulses. Operating near ablation threshold energy levels allows the production of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS), which alter the metal’s surface properties, improving light absorption (black marking), adjusting wettability, enhancing tribology, and creating anti-bacterial surfaces.
Nitinol stent cutting.
Nitinol stent cutting

Femtosecond lasers are superior in cutting nitinol stents, a crucial application in the medical field due to the exceptional precision required. The ultra-short pulse duration of femtosecond lasers ensures superior processing quality, resulting in smooth edges, minimal burr formation, and low heat affected zones. This precision and quality is vital in manufacturing nitinol stents, which require intricate geometries and exact dimensions to function correctly within the human body.
All applications