Influence of laser marking parameters on data matrix code quality on polybutylene terephthalate/glass fiber composite surface using microscopy and spectroscopy techniques

R.C.M. Sales-Contini; J.P. Costa; F.J.G. Silva; A.G. Pinto; R.D.S.G. Campilho; I.M. Pinto; V.F.C. Sousa; R.P. Martinho; R.C.M. Sales-Contini; J.P. Costa; F.J.G. Silva; A.G. Pinto; R.D.S.G. Campilho; I.M. Pinto; V.F.C. Sousa; R.P. Martinho

doi:10.3934/matersci.2024009

AIMS Materials Science

2024, Volume 11, Issue 1: 150-172. doi: 10.3934/matersci.2024009

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Influence of laser marking parameters on data matrix code quality on polybutylene terephthalate/glass fiber composite surface using microscopy and spectroscopy techniques

1.
ISEP, Polytechnic of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal
2.
College of Technology São José dos Campos, Professor Jessen Vidal, Centro Paula Souza, Avenida Cesare Mansueto Giulio Lattes, 1350 Distrito Eugênio de Melo, 12247-014, São José dos Campos/SP, Brazil
3.
INEGI - Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering, Porto, Portugal
4.
Mathematical Engineering Laboratory, LEMA, Porto, Portugal
5.
Associate Laboratory for Energy, Transports and Aerospace (LAETA-INEGI), Rua Dr. Roberto Frias 400, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal

Received: 20 November 2023 Revised: 05 January 2024 Accepted: 15 January 2024 Published: 02 February 2024

Laser marking on polymer composite surfaces can be difficult to read and cause readability problems for electronic decoding equipment on production lines due to poor interaction between the laser and the fibers used to reinforce these materials. This problem can be solved with the right choice of marking parameters, resulting in savings for companies by avoiding production problems such as rejection, scrap and customer complaints. The present work uses the polybutylene terephthalate/glass fiber (PBT/GF) composite used in the manufacture of instrument panels for motorcycles. The tests were carried out with different laser marking parameters using a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. Subsequently, the laser-marked data matrix codes (DMC) were analyzed using a microscope verifier to evaluate the quality according to the ISO/IEC 29158:2020 standard. A detailed analysis of these surfaces was also carried out to observe some physical and chemical changes using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The optical analysis showed that lower radiation power and pulse frequency and higher marking speed corresponded to weaker laser marking and therefore poorer DMC code quality, which was confirmed by the SEM. EDS showed that the laser marking process did not cause the chemical changes on the sample surface.
- laser marking quality,
- marking parameters,
- DMC,
- PBT composite,
- SEM analysis
Citation: R.C.M. Sales-Contini, J.P. Costa, F.J.G. Silva, A.G. Pinto, R.D.S.G. Campilho, I.M. Pinto, V.F.C. Sousa, R.P. Martinho. Influence of laser marking parameters on data matrix code quality on polybutylene terephthalate/glass fiber composite surface using microscopy and spectroscopy techniques[J]. AIMS Materials Science, 2024, 11(1): 150-172. doi: 10.3934/matersci.2024009

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Abstract

Laser marking on polymer composite surfaces can be difficult to read and cause readability problems for electronic decoding equipment on production lines due to poor interaction between the laser and the fibers used to reinforce these materials. This problem can be solved with the right choice of marking parameters, resulting in savings for companies by avoiding production problems such as rejection, scrap and customer complaints. The present work uses the polybutylene terephthalate/glass fiber (PBT/GF) composite used in the manufacture of instrument panels for motorcycles. The tests were carried out with different laser marking parameters using a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. Subsequently, the laser-marked data matrix codes (DMC) were analyzed using a microscope verifier to evaluate the quality according to the ISO/IEC 29158:2020 standard. A detailed analysis of these surfaces was also carried out to observe some physical and chemical changes using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The optical analysis showed that lower radiation power and pulse frequency and higher marking speed corresponded to weaker laser marking and therefore poorer DMC code quality, which was confirmed by the SEM. EDS showed that the laser marking process did not cause the chemical changes on the sample surface.

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