Using an Atomstack X20 [M100 laser module 20w diode laser], does anyone have any experience trying to etch these place so the lettering on the brass plate is black? I know you cannot etch a brass plate without some type of coating. I tried using cold galvanizing compound but it simply cuts through it and puts an etching into the brass, but I need the lettering to be black. I have Brilliance black marking spray, and also Omtech - and I’ve tried to mark the brass plates but when I wash it off with water, the black goes away. Possibly I’m not using high enough power. I’ve been using a speed of 1500, and power at 50%. I know I should do a materials test but I don’t have that many brass plates to test on because I need to have this done pretty quickly and don’t have but one brass plate to spare in case I screw up on the others. Any help would be appreciated - possibly with settings for this laser. I also have a an Atomstack X30 [33w], a Sculpfun iCube 5w, and a Longer 10w.
That is because it is not fusing with the brass. Maybe use white acrylic that has lots of titanium dioxide (TiO2) in it. You might want to find some scrap brass, any thickness, to practice on.
You are the pioneer here, so let us know how it turns out.
And maybe crank up the power to see what happens. 
I think @MikeyH is correct, you’re not heating it up enough 
IMHO, I think you have two issues.
First is the coating… I use LBT100 and I asked them via e-mail if they had any settings for a visible light diode.
Their reply was it was designed for a co2.
The other issue.. most of these you have to heat up the object or metal along with the coating to get a molecular bond to occur. Most of these are on stainless steel and you want to do brass.
| Metal | Thermal Conduction W/m K |
|---|---|
| Stainless steel | 15 |
| Brass | 111 |
The brass is going to suck a lot of heat out of your lasers impact point very fast.
Hope this make sense?
Good luck
Using my 20W diode laser I was able to use Brilliance marking spray with the power of 100%, and 600mm/min on the brass plates. Came out real good didn’t wash off. Thanks for the tips everyone.
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