LaserMark-G™ (ZrN) — Laser Marking Additive for Glass
High-contrast, durable marks on soda-lime, borosilicate, and strengthened glass under common industrial lasers.
Introduction
What LaserMark-G™ (ZrN) does
LaserMark-G™ is a zirconium nitride (ZrN) based marking additive designed to help glass surfaces develop visible contrast under laser irradiation. It is used by formulators and process engineers to build stable, production-ready marking systems for glass parts where direct laser marking is required.
Why glass is difficult to mark
Glass is optically transparent across much of the visible range and has low absorption at many process wavelengths. As a result, the laser energy may pass through or distribute without producing a controlled surface change. In addition, smooth glass surfaces provide limited anchoring points, so any mark that relies on deposited material must also pass adhesion and abrasion requirements.
How ZrN contributes (system-level mechanism)
Energy coupling: ZrN provides stronger laser energy coupling than bare glass, enabling a localized surface transformation.
Micro-contrast formation: Under appropriate conditions, controlled micro-roughening / micro-structuring can increase scattering and perceived darkness.
Process window stabilization: In coating / ink systems, ZrN can help reduce sensitivity to minor changes in focus, speed, and power by improving local absorption.
Typical use formats
Coating / ink route: ZrN dispersed in an inorganic/organic binder system (often with silane coupling strategy) then laser-written.
Direct surface treatment route: ZrN-containing layer applied by spray/print/transfer, followed by laser exposure and optional post-cleaning.
What to optimize first
Laser wavelength and pulse regime (fiber 1064 nm, green 532 nm, UV 355/405 nm, CO₂ 10.6 μm)
Coating thickness / loading and dispersion quality (agglomerates reduce consistency)
Binder selection for adhesion + thermal shock resistance (soda-lime vs borosilicate vs tempered glass)
Post-treatment requirements (wash, abrasion, chemical resistance)
Note: Mark appearance and durability depend on the complete system (glass type, laser, binder, dispersion, thickness). LaserMark-G™ is supplied as an additive material, not a finished marking ink.
Lower loading improves clarity and stability; higher loading increases contrast but narrows the process window
Dry coating thickness
3 – 20 μm
Too thin reduces contrast; too thick may cause cracking, haze, or thermal stress
Dispersion quality
No visible agglomerates
Agglomeration is a primary cause of non-uniform marks and batch-to-batch variation
Laser wavelength
1064 nm / 532 nm / 355–405 nm / 10.6 μm
Fiber, green, UV/blue, and CO₂ lasers interact differently with glass and coating systems
Scan speed
Defined by DOE
Mark contrast is governed by energy density, not speed alone
Pulse regime
CW or pulsed (ns)
Pulsed regimes often improve edge definition and reduce heat-affected zones
Focal offset
0 to +2 mm (process-dependent)
Slight defocus can improve uniformity on curved or stressed glass
Post-treatment
Optional wash or wipe
Used to remove loosely bound residues in coating-based systems
Product feature
LaserMark-G™ is a ZrN-based additive used in glass laser marking systems to improve laser energy coupling and enable high-contrast, durable surface marks when formulated with an appropriate binder and processed within a defined laser window.
Key Features
Glass-compatible contrast development: supports visible marks on soda-lime, borosilicate, and strengthened glass when system-matched.
Process window thinking: engineered for production repeatability—reduce sensitivity to small drift in speed, focus, and power (when dispersion is controlled).
Cracking / haze around mark: layer too thick or energy too concentrated; reduce thickness, power, or add heat-management steps.
Non-uniform mark across batches: control dispersion (PSD drift), viscosity, and coating weight; lock focus and galvo calibration.
FAQ
Does LaserMark-G™ work as a standalone powder on bare glass?
In most industrial cases, a controlled layer (coating/ink/transfer) is preferred to achieve repeatable contrast and durability. Bare-glass interaction is strongly dependent on glass chemistry and laser conditions.
Which glass types are suitable?
Soda-lime and borosilicate are common. Chemically strengthened and tempered glass may require additional attention to adhesion and thermal shock.
Which laser is “best”?
There is no single best laser. Fiber 1064 nm is common for speed; green/UV can improve feature definition on some systems; CO₂ interacts strongly with glass but may change surface texture. Selection should match the part, mark spec, and throughput.
How do I validate durability?
Typical checks include abrasion (rub), solvent wipe, detergent wash, humidity/temperature cycling, and tape adhesion for coated routes—chosen based on your end-use requirements.
Data & Source (for engineering reference)
General laser–glass interaction principles: absorption / scattering / thermal stress; process windows defined by wavelength, pulse regime, and energy density.
Common validation practices: abrasion resistance, solvent wipe, tape adhesion (for coated systems), and thermal cycling for service environments.