The TherMark process does not damage the substrate.

The revolutionary TherMark process uses laser energy and marking materials scientifically formulated to permanently fuse to metals, ceramics, glass and other hard surfaces. TherMark’s patented technology offers an unmatched combination of benefits that stems directly from the chemistry involved in its laser marking process.

Thermark’s marking materials, or inks, consist of traditional ceramic glazing material, with the addition of an energy absorber.

The laser marking materials are a mixture of glass frit small particles of partially fused glass designed to melt at a much lower temperature than ordinary window glass with pigments for coloring. The traditional use of such glazing material requires it to be applied to the surface of ceramic object, and then baked in a very hot kiln for more than an hour.

The patented TherMark method uses a laser as the heat source to fuse the ceramic glaze instead of a kiln. All this happens in microseconds as opposed to hours, consuming far less “energy” and, consequently, without compromising or damaging the material being marked. It is the energy absorber within the TherMark marking materials that enhances and speeds that heat absorption from the laser beam, improving the transfer to the glaze.

The inclusion of pigments in TherMark marking materials not only enables the creation of high-contrast, high-resolution marks, but it also provides the ability to tailor the colour to the application. The pigments used are chemically similar, in many cases identical, to the ones used to decorate fine china, ceramics and tiles. Some of these pigmetns undergo no chemical change during the laser firing process and either dissolve into the melting glass frit or are simply encapsulated in it. Others react with the molten glass frit and with each other to “develop” the desired color under the laser’s heat. In all cases, the result is a high-contrast, colored mark composed of inherently stable pigments that are further protected in capsules of inert glass. Equally important is the thermal bonding process. As the glass frit melts, it chemically bonds to the part’s surface. These chemical bonds are as strong as the bonds holding the glass together and result in a mark that can stand up to severe abrasion and corrosion.

Please contact Laser Resources for more details or a brochure.