For the purpose of understanding how cermark products work and the relationship to speed and power, the following explanation is given:

When using CerMark laser marking materials, speed and power are the balance which defines how the materials bond. Too much or too little power and/or speed will prevent the materials from properly bonding to the substrate. Every substrate will react to the amount of energy applied differently.  Sample marking will ensure the correct settings for your application.

For example, if two laser machines are exactly the same, even with the same advertised power tube and from the same manufacturer, it happens that as the CO2 lasers age, the energy efficiency of the laser tube degrades. This means that as the machine is used, its power capability changes. This will affect the power settings and the optimum speed the machine should work for a given substrate. Unfortunately,  we cannot say exactly what settings your specific machine needs for optimal results. You have to try it out and experiment with it by running tests. Keep in mind that different substrates will respond differently. It is always advisable to start testing with the recommended laser settings for each Cermark product and substrate to be marked. We must consider that the Cermark product must bond with the substrate and for that it needs good power. The products have the opportunity to fix much better when there are less speed. It is find the correct balance between power and speed.

The Date Of Manufacturer Will Depend On The Container At Time Of Sale, Our Products Move Very Quickly And They Don’t Sit For More Than 2-Weeks Or Less. The Product Has Been Known To Last For Over Two (2) Years, But Its Guarantee By Manufacturer For Six (6) Months. I Trust These Answers Your Questions.

CerMark LMM6000, Black 50gram, Use: Stainless Steel & Pewter

Certificate Of Compliance: FERRO Inc. (‘Seller”) Warrants Cermark™ Branded Laser Marking Materials To Be Free From Defects In Materials And Workmanship Under Normal Use, And To Have An Effective Shelf-Life Under Normal Use, For A Period Of Six (6) Months From The Date Of Invoice. The Shelf-Life Will Be Longer As Long As The Product Is Kept Airtight And Liquefied.

Q- Will the Cermark tape  LMM6018.LF  work on stainless with a Fiber Laser?

Relate to inquiry, unfortunately the Cermark tape will NOT work in regular conditions with a fiber laser. Most fiber lasers are able to mark on stainless steel without any additives.  However, the LMM-6018 Tape will work on stainless using a fiber laser if the following applies:

• The Fiber laser must be (CW) continuous wave laser.

• Or if this laser system has a Q-switch capability then select CW not pulse.

• Or if not CW the laser system and offers only pulse mode the system must have the ability to increase the frequency to more than 160,000 which should enable the laser system to mark using LMM-6018 Tape.

With Co2 the power must be 40 w or higher

 That product is no longer being manufactured by the Ferro company. There's really not a product that will work for that application well. We recommend using a Fiber laser source for plastic applications. 

Q-Is the Cermark Ultra a product that can be used to mark plastics?

The New ultra no works with plastics because the functionality is to bonding to the substrate at high temperatures. “ if too much heat is applied it will melt. If the customer wants to do more testing, very low power is recommended if just want to fuse the CerMark onto the plastic. We have had some customers use the LMC-6044P Aerosol on some plastics with success. Just an idea if you want to test.”

Q. The mark is not as dark as I would like, can I get a darker mark by using a thicker application of the TherMark material?

A. Different alloys may give slightly different shades of color with the same CerMark laser marking material. Different laser types (CO2 and fiber) will also produce varying results. A thicker coating of CerMark material will result in more power being needed to create the bond with your substrate; it may not necessarily make the marks darker. In general, more is less: you will get the best marks using the smallest necessary amount of laser marking material. Make sure to consult your individual product’s product page for recommended coating thicknesses.

Q. While laser marking my substrate I notice the laser marking materials are peeling back like a sticker. What is going wrong?

A. If the materials are peeling back, one of two things is occurring:

There may be a coating of some sort preventing the CerMark laser marking materials from bonding to the substrate. We usually see this with lacquer coated metals (these coatings are common on aluminum, brass, and pewter). If you are not sure whether or not your substrate has a lacquer coating, you can test by direct laser marking (to remove the coating), applying CerMark materials, and then re-laser marking on the same spot. If the materials bond, then you know a coating was causing your problem.

If you know your piece is not lacquer coated, the problem may be stemming from residue left behind by a cleaning agent such as an over the counter glass cleaner. Simply wash the substrate with warm water to remove any cleaning agent residue. Note: When marking with the TherMark LMC products on ceramic substrates, you should never use cleaning agents to wash or clean debris and oils off the substrate. Matte finished ceramics will hold the agents in the porous surfaces and will give you great difficulty when marking.

Speed. Peeling may occur when the correct amount of laser energy has been applied to the substrate but with too high a speed setting. The materials are bonding to themselves but have not had enough time to bond to the substrate. To fix this problem, slow down the laser marking speed until you achieve the Correct Settings.

Q. I get inconsistent marks after marking. Different parts of the graphics have different contrast and quality.

A. This may happen when the coating of CerMark materials is not homogeneous along the surface being marked. This usually occurs when airbrushing or foam brushing our liquid products. Care must be taken to master a technique which works for you so you can evenly apply the ink along the whole target surface every time. 

Q. The laser marking materials look great after laser marking them, but when I go to rinse them off they wipe clean. What am I doing wrong?

A. Usually this means you are not allowing the laser enough time to bond the materials to the substrate. You can adjust by lowering the marking speed (expressed in %, in/sec, or cm/sec). We recommend this be done in 5% increments. A power grid on a sample piece may help to visualize the settings better.

Q. Can you screen-print the LMM-6000 or LMM-14?

NO! This is not recommended.

Q. The marked graphic is not sharp; lines are thicker than in the picture. What could be wrong?

A. A common reason for this problem is that your laser is out of focus. When your laser is focus, the narrowest waist of the laser beam is the part of the beam which hits the substrate. When you are out of focus, a wider part of the beam is hitting the substrate. Despite being somewhat out of focus it is still possible to create a bonded mark. However, the excess beam width will reduce the resolution you can achieve. In order to fix this problem, re-focus your laser. Once you bring the laser into focus you may need to reduce your laser power setting.

Q. I use the same settings specified by TherMark and I get terrible results. What can be wrong?

A. There are a number of circumstances which can cause this:

For exactly same situation described you may get bad results due to being out of focus. See above.

The coating thickness makes a huge difference, too. Try a few different coating thicknesses to get the best results.

Check which kind of lens you are using. Different lenses with different focal lengths will have different beam waists at the focal plain, requiring different power and speed settings.

A common error is failure to perform the proper conversion of settings. Settings are often given in percentages, but 80% power on a 45W laser is not the same as 80% power on a 30W laser. Similarly, 80% speed on a laser which goes 140 in/sec at 100% speed is not the same as 80% speed on a laser which goes 60 in/sec at 100% speed. Make sure to convert percentages so they are relevant for your laser. Remember, the important thing is absolute power (Watts) and absolute speed (in/sec or cm/sec).

Mode of operation is also very important. It is important to understand the differences between rastering vs. vectoring and continuous wave vs. pulse. For more information, please visit our Laser Settings Section.

Q. How do I apply LMM-6000 & LMM-14?

These products can be applied using the following application methods: spray, brush or screen print. These products should be applied directly to the metal substrate, but care must be taken to ensure that an even coat is applied. The LMM-6000 & LMM-14 can be applied using spray and foam br

ush applications methods. Any variation in the coating such as brush marks may translate into variation in the final mark appearance. Spraying will give you the best results and the most evenly applied coating. When spraying these products we recommend the product be applied in a well ventilated area or spray booth designed to pull air away from user.

Q. How much LMM-6000, & LMM-14 do I apply?

You should apply only enough of these products to hide the metal surface. Applying more will result in having to use more laser power to create marks; it will not make the marks darker.

Q. How do I thin LMM-6000, & LMM-14?

LMM-6000 & LMM-14 can be thinned with denatured alcohol, ethanol, acetone or methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). Add the thinner to the LMM-6000 and stir or shake thoroughly. Isopropyl alcohol should be avoided.

Q. How much thinner do I need?

In a brush on application the LMM-6000 & LMM-14 should be thinned 2 parts ethanol 1 part LMM-6000 & LMM-14 more ethanol if needed. We recommend a maximum thinning ratio of 1 part LMM-6000 & LMM-14 to 1 part ethanol for spraying. Ethanol can also be added to help aid in brushing, it will help brush marks flow out. MEK and acetone are stronger solvents; therefore less thinning will be needed when using these solvents.

Q. How do I clean LMM-6000 & LMM-14 off of the metal?

LMM-6000 & LMM-14 can be cleaned using plain water.

Q. What metals does LMM-6000 & LMM-14 work on?

LMM-6000 & LMM-14 has been tested on stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, nickel, silver, and titanium. LMM-6000 & LMM-14 will not work on metals that have a coating or protective clear lacquer.

Q. How long will the marks last? How tough are they?

Marks made using LMM-6000 & LMM-14 are permanent. Marks made with LMM-6000 & LMM-14 are generally considered to be as tough as the metal they are applied on. Physical testing has shown them to be resistant to many common strong acids, bases, organic solvents and extreme heat or cold. LMM-6000 & LMM-14 also have good salt spray resistance, scratch resistance and QUV resistance.

Q. Can I reuse LMM-6000 & LMM-14?

LMM-6000 & LMM-14 should not be used if it has dried out. LMM-6000 & LMM-14 also should not be reused by washing it off of a part then respraying the washed off material. Reused LMM-6000 & LMM-14 will not produce a high quality mark. Performance characteristics will also be affected.

Q. What kind of laser do I need?

LMM-6000 & LMM-14 can be used with CO2, YAG, YVO4, or Fiber laser marking systems. When using YAG, YVO4 and Fiber laser systems a continuous wave system is recommended. Some pulse systems may work, this depends on the frequency rate capabilities within the system.

Q. How much power should I use?

The power settings that LMM-6000 & LMM-14 will work best at vary depending on the laser being used. For example, with a 35 watt CO2 laser, marking on stainless steel requires the use of 100% power at a write speed of 4-8 inches per second. Marking on aluminum requires 100% power at a write speed of 1-4 inches per second with the same laser. A more powerful laser will be able to make the same mark using less power or writing faster. Also, aluminum, copper, brass and other soft, heat conductive metals require higher powers and slower writing speeds. These metals will conduct heat away from the marking area faster than steel, thus requiring more heat (power) to make a mark. Your power settings will vary depending on the laser used and the substrate being marked, so some experimentation may be necessary to achieve the best mark.

Q. Does LMM-6000 & LMM-14 work on glass?

No. The LMM-6000 & LMM-14 are not formulated to be used on glass surfaces. It is designed to work only on metal surfaces. CerMark also offers the LMC series products for laser marking on glass and ceramic substrates.

Q. Will LMM-6000 & LMM-14 work on coated metals?

No. If the metal has a protective coating on it, the coating must be removed before it can be marked. The protective coating will interfere with LMM-6000 & LMM-14 ability to bond to the surface of the metal.

Q. Will LMM-6000 & LMM-14 work on anodized metals?

LMM-6000& LMM-14 has generally been found to not work on anodized metals, but in some cases satisfactory results have been reported. We recommend experimentation if possible to determine if LMM-6000 & LMM-14 will work in your particular application. The CerMark LMM-6904 is formulated for use on anodized surfaces.

Q. How many marks can I get from 500 grams of LMM-6000 & LMM-14?

When thinned and used as recommended, 500 grams LMM-6000 & LMM-14 should provide approximately 6000 square inches of coverage. The number of marks you can make will depend on the size of the mark and how much material you apply to the substrate.

Q. Can I get blacker marks with a thicker coat of LMM-6000 & LMM-14?

No. Additional LMM-6000 & LMM-14 film thickness will only result in more power being needed to make a mark; it will not make the marks any darker.

Q. What other colors for metal are currently available?

Currently we offer a black LMM-6000 & LMM-14 on metal substrates. CerMark also offers LMM-6150 Pearl (off white) and LMM-6151 Copper which will mark on stainless steel, Black Oxide and Black Parkerized metals widely used for firearms and knives and a variety of tools. Contact us for more information.

Q-I’m looking for technical assistance marking with a fiber Trumpf Trumark 5000 series laser using the ultra black spray compound

You have to fill the form (  https://jorlink.com/Contact-Us/Contact-Us-Sales-Inquiry/Sales-Force-Lead-Form ) at jorlink.com explaining the problem , or you can visit the support at  (https://go.oncehub.com/jorlinktech)  and choice your service assistance.

Q-I'm needing to engrave on some award medals for a school. I've got some of your Cermark 6000 and Cermark Black Laser Marking spray - I'm trying to figure out if I can use it to laser engrave on an award medallion that is made of zinc alloy?

About your question: Fiber lasers are the most efficient at generating permanent & high-contrast identifiers on these materials. You can etch barcodes, data matrix codes, QR codes, serial numbers, logos and even more on all types of zinc parts. Cermark is not the answer to engrave zinc alloys with CO2 Laser. Even if you get it to work the next item from the same product line may well have a totally different composition and not work. Cermark is to engrave all kind of metals but not zinc alloy.

Q-Is there any specification that covers/relates to the laser marking with the "paint" products. I am needing this for a Aerospace customer?

The LMM6000, here is the product page (click here) . In our MSDS page  will see an icon that says "Material Safety Data sheet" (LMM6000 MSDS)

I can also offer you an analysis information made with the LMM6000 at the aerospace industry level. (click here)

 Q-What is the main difference between LMC 6000 and LCM 6044P ?

LMC6044P product can mark a range of glass and ceramic substrates. It has previously been used to mark many different types of glass in industrial applications such as vehicle windshields, laboratory instruments, plate glass, and glass ampules. It can also be used for decorative work on bottles, wine glasses, and awards. Additionally, it has found uses on ceramic products such as porcelain sanitary ware, electronic substrates, and for decorating walls and floor tiles. In another way, the Lmm6000 is designed for metals is recommended for creating black marks on a variety of metals such as Stainless Steel, Bright Annealed Chrome, Plating Titanium Galvanized, Steel Nickel Plating, Brass Aluminum Gold, Plating, Copper, Pewter, and Silver Plating.

Q- When using the ULTRA spray on stainless steel tags we are getting spotty results. Not solid black.  I have a 25 watt universal M300 laser. Experiencing faintness in some areas of the tag.   Our settings are power 100 and speed of 20. PPI of 600.

 https://www.cermarkusa.com/laser-setting-chart     

 https://jorlink.com/laser-supplies/cermarkthermark/thermark-how-to-use/laser-settings-chart      .

These are suggested starting settings.   All of the laser spray products will require some experimenting to perfect. Even two lasers that are the same brand, model and power will be different. Over time the laser tube will change in power and that will effect the results. More power does NOT mean better results. There is a sweet spot you'll want to find.

Q. I am getting a discoloration on my substrate after I apply and laser mark the TherMark laser marking materials. What could be wrong?

A. This type of discoloration can appear on silver-plated, gold-plated and chrome substrates and mostly occurs when using liquid CerMark materials straight out of the container. The liquid marking materials contain a strong concentrate of chemicals and may cause discoloration when left to sit on some surfaces (especially more inexpensive items). You can fix this problem by adding a small amount of thinning agent (denatured alcohol or demineralized water) to your CerMark marking materials, quick drying the piece with a heat gun, hair dryer or fan after application, and then laser marking and removing the excess marking material quickly. By not letting the marking material sit on the plated/chrome substrate you will greatly decrease the chance of discoloration.

Q-Do you ship Cermark products to worldwide?

Q. After I laser mark my substrate there is no CerMark material left.

A. This happens when you have your laser speed set too low. You are actually blowing the TherMark materials off the substrate surface. At too slow a marking speed, the amount of thermal energy is enough to disperse the materials around on the surface but not let them create a bond. In this instance you will need to increase the marking speed in increments of 5% until you find the exact setting needed.

Q-I Had An Issue With The Spray Marking Where After Only One Or 2 Uses It Clogged Up On Me And I Wasted Nearly A Full Can Which Was Very Frustrating As To The Cost Of The Material. I Was Told You Came Out With A Different Product That Prevented That From Happening, Is This True?

Hi , thank's for reaching out!  Ferro has released a new product called Cermark Ultra. This compound is a multi-use marking spray and is highly recommended for just about all marking applications. However, I haven't personally heard of anything regarding a storage difference. The can has instructions on it for safe storage and cleaning of the nozzle. These need to be followed with every use to prevent clogging of the nozzle. This includes spraying a few times with the can flipped upside down. I would also recommend not letting the can sit for over a few weeks without a quick spray to keep the nozzle clean.

Q. I am marking glass with LMC products and get micro-fracturing. How can I prevent this from happening?

A. Micro-fracturing occurs when the glass substrate is heated beyond its melting temperature and then rapidly cooled to room temperatures. These strong variations in temperature lead to local expansion and contraction and subsequently to micro-fracturing. There are two mechanisms of heating glass substrates: through conduction (ink heating the glass through thermal conduction), and through direct absorption. The latter is present mostly in CO2 lasers due to the absorption at CO2 lasers’ wavelength of operation. Consequently, solid-state lasers generate smoother marks. In both cases the micro-fracturing can often be minimized by lowering the power and the speed, thus creating gentle conditions for bonding – heating the ink just enough to bond to the surface and scanning slowly enough to deposit enough heat to bond.

Q. I am getting a brown rust color instead of a black mark. Are the CerMark laser marking materials bad?

A. No, the marking materials are fine. The browning or rusting occurs when you have applied too much thermal energy either due to slow speed or excess power. In this case, you have actually burnt the CerMark material. To fix this you should increase the marking speed or lower the laser power.

Q. My ink/paste has solidified. Can I re-liquify it?

A. Yes. You can re-liquify the ink by using small amounts of denatured alcohol or demineralized water. This process may take several hours or even days depending on how much material was in the container. Please remember that the more thinning agent you use, the lighter the pigment may become.

We Have A Distributor In Mexico For Some Of Our Products And Some Can Be Purchased Directly, We Also Have A Representative In Costa Rica  

"I need to clarify if they are looking for a cleaner to remove corrosion. Or how not to create corrosion from occurring in the first place. When laser marking the aluminum with LMM-14 or LMM-6000 staining can occur if water with residue from the LMM-14 or 6000 remains on the metal parts. This residue and water left on metals can tarnish them"

The New ultra no works with plastics because the functionality is to bonding to the substrate at high temperatures and... “ if too much heat is applied it will melt. If the customer wants to do more testing, very low power is recommended if just want to fuse the CerMark onto the plastic. We have had some customers use the LMC-6044P Aerosol on some plastics with success. ”

One Rule Of Thumb When It Comes To Using The CerMark. The Laser Mark Can Only Be As Durable As The Substrate It Is Applied To. I Can Suggest Testing To Determine The Best Setting .

CerMark ULTRA is a new formula that is produced by Ferro who has acquired the TherMark brand some time ago. TherMark had previously created different formulas for their products. For example we had a formula for stainless steel, another for aluminum, another for copper, another for ceramics, another for glass, etc. Now, Ultra comes to do the things more simple. The quality of the mark is better and you can do your project faster than LMM 6000. The result of the new investigation produces a lower price too!   You can continue using the LMM6000 to work with stainless steel and other metals, however, you already have another product that may be more functional, the Ultra can be used on different substrates at the same time.

-LMM-6038, Black Laser Marking Paste. Marks On High-Polish Metals, Such As Chrome Or Nickel Plating And Stainless Steel

Q: What is the difference between TherMark and CerMark?

A: Ferro Corporation Acquired TherMark in February 2015

TherMark Holdings’ laser marking technology has been integrated into Ferro’s Laser Marking Materials portfolio.  TherMark’s patented laser marking technology expands Ferro’s position in the high-value glass and color markets, with its unique ability to quickly, precisely and permanently fuse marking materials to ceramics, plastics, metals, glass, and other hard surfaces.  LEARN MORE.

Q: I would like to try LMM14 and/or LMM6000. Should I use aerosol or liquid ink?

A: For new users, we recommend starting with aerosol for testing purposes. Aerosol cans take the variable of dilution out of the equation and are easier to use – you only need to focus on getting the correct coating thickness and laser settings. 

We recommend switching to air brush application of liquid laser marking ink once you have some experience with our products and begin doing a larger volume of marking. This will add the additional variable of dilution to the equation, but since you are already familiar with the proper coating thickness it should be an easy switch. The economies of scale involved in switching to liquid ink are substantial: a square inch of LMM14 aerosol costs roughly $.06, while a square inch of LMM14 liquid purchased in a 1,000 gram container costs below $.02.

Q: Can I mark color on metal? Plastic?

A: Not at this time, but we are working on it. 

Q: Is TherMark / CerMark laser marking material dangerous or toxic?

A:  We recommend that workers wear safety glasses or goggles and protective gloves when applying our products and do so in a well-ventilated area as is customary whenever handling chemicals. click here to read our statement on worker safety.

Q: How should I dispose of excess TherMark / CerMark laser marking material?

A: Please call your local government for more information. Each State has its own laws regarding waste regulation.

Q: Is TherMark / CerMark laser marking material FDA approved?

A: TherMark materials are not approved in themselves by the FDA as the FDA’s role is to approve final products rather than component materials. The FDA has, however, approved many of our customer’s finished products such as surgical tools and implants which have been marked using TherMark materials. For more information, please click here to read our Application Note on Marking for Medical Devices.

Q: I have seen laser marked ceramic tiles with four color pictures. Can I use TherMark / CerMark products to do four color marking?

A: There are processes for four color marking on ceramic tiles based on the TherMark laser bonding technology, however we do not sell and support this process.

Q: Why can’t some TherMark / CerMark products be shipped via air freight without additional charges?

A: Aerosol cans (LMM14 , LMM6000 and New Ultra ) and alcohol-based chemicals (LMM6000, LMM6038, LMM6046 ) are considered a safety risk on airplanes due to being pressurized and flammable. CerMark employees are trained and certified to ship dangerous goods via air both domestically (under DOT 49 CFR) and internationally (under IATA). While CerMark does not charge extra for this service, freight companies impose additional charges due to the added regulatory complications of these products, and we are forced to pass these along to the customer.

Q: I have never purchased from your web store before, but it says I already have an account. What is going on?

A: If we have previously met you or someone from your company (at a trade show, for example) we have you in our database. Since our database is connected to our web store, our web store may recognize your company name or email address even though you have not previously set up a web store account. Please give us a quick call on the customer service line  (336)-288-1613  and we will set you up with a password and web store access.

Q: Your web store does not take international orders. I am not in the United States but would like to purchase TherMark / CerMark products. What should I do?

A:  The reason is  aerosol cans and alcohol based chemicals are products require special packaging, labeling, and paperwork in order to go on airplanes, and those people doing the packing and paperwork must be properly trained on the shipping of dangerous goods.

Contact us directly by phone   (336) 288-16-13  or email:  sales@cermarkusa.com / cs2@jorlink.com . (Spanish spoken) You can also communicate through our chat and we will be happy to assist you!

Q: I am interested in distributing TherMark / CerMark products. Are you taking on new distributors?

A: Please contact us ( sales@cermarkusa.com ) to discuss becoming a CerMark Authorized Distributor.