Process for engraving ceramic surfaces using local laser vitrification

摘要

A process is provided for producing contrasting, long lasting, glassy heat fused images on the surface of ceramic materials such as bricks using a laser to vitrify the substrate material. The process is accomplished in three stages: Stage 1) the laser produces a non-adherent, highly light absorptive layer by heating and removing material from the marking field to create depth into the brick's surface; Stage 2) melting of the main portion of the substrate material along the marking field using the non-adherent light absorptive layer from Stage 1 as an effective light absorber/heat transducer to cause vitrification along the marking field; Stage 3) residue from the melting in stage 2 is removed by laser ablation to produce the vitrified finished mark.