METHOD OF LASER MARKING A BEARING COMPONENT WITH VISUALLY UNDETECTABLE MARK; BEARING COMPONENT WITH SUCH MARKING; METHOD OF AUTHENTIFICATION SUCH MARKING

摘要

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a bearing component, in which a visually undetectable identification mark is created on a surface of the component by means of laser marking performed in a protective gas environment. The protective gas environment prevents the formation of a visible oxide layer, while the temperatures induced at the component surface and below the component surface, due to the laser marking, are sufficient to alter the microstructure of the bearing steel from which the component is made. The altered microstructure is revealable by applying an etchant to the visually undetectable mark, thereby allowing authentication of the bearing component.