I am attempting to engrave some drinkware made from SAN on my 40w CO2 laser attempting to get the image to show black on the clear plastic.
I used Cermark and Krylon paint in an attempt to get the results that I am after; however, the Cermark comes out grey and the Kylon paint is just removed as the laser marks the vector. I’m hoping that someone has attempted something similar with results.
I don’t know how you could do this on plastic… It usually burns off or vaporizes the material. This doesn’t leave a black mark. Is there something in SAN that turns black, not burnt?
Cermark and LBT100 create a molecular bond with glass or metal because of high heat, this can’t be done with plastic…
SAN does not have any properties in the plastic that turn colors when engraved; at least none that I have read about or experienced. I have gone through several samples and have burnt and vaporized the plastic with various settings. The closest that I have come is by applying Cermark on one sample and then engraved; the resulting color is a light gray color.
I am going to attempt to apply a black rubbing compound to a sample and see if the plastic will pick up the wax, much like etched glass will.