CASE STUDY 08 · OIL AND GAS · TUNGSTEN CARBIDE

MARKING ONE OF THE
HARDEST MATERIALS.

How Neolase, a Sheffield laser marking subcontractor, laser-marks tungsten carbide components for downhole drilling in oil and gas exploration.

SUMMARY

THE CASE STUDY
AT A GLANCE

Neolase Ltd, a laser marking and engraving subcontractor based in Sheffield, UK, laser-marks tungsten carbide, one of the hardest engineering materials, for downhole drilling in oil and gas exploration. A laser never touches the part, so the extreme hardness of tungsten carbide, which quickly wears out conventional marking tools, is not a barrier to a permanent mark.

Tungsten carbide laser marking key facts
Customer	Downhole drilling tool manufacturer, drilling Teeth manufacturer
Industry	Oil and gas exploration, downhole drilling
Material	Tungsten carbide
Component	Drill bit inserts or wear parts
Quantity	Varies, from 1 pcs to dozens per batch
Marking	Engraving on non sensitive part of the product
Mark applied	serial number, part number, batch number
Turnaround	24 Hrs
Done	Occasional

01 / 03

THE REQUIREMENT:
IDENTIFICATION ON EXTREMELY HARD PARTS

Tungsten carbide is chosen for downhole drilling because it is one of the hardest materials available, able to cut through rock where ordinary steel would wear out. In oil and gas exploration, components like these have to be identified and tracked.

That hardness makes the material very difficult to mark. Conventional engraving tools and stamping struggle against it, so the customer needed a marking method that could leave a permanent, readable mark on tungsten carbide.

02 / 03

THE SOLUTION:
LASER MARKING TUNGSTEN CARBIDE

Neolase, a laser marking subcontractor based in Sheffield, uses a laser to mark the tungsten carbide. A laser is a beam of light, so it does not touch the part, and there is no tool to wear down against the hard surface. How hard the material is does not stop the laser from marking it.

The mark is made in the surface of the part itself, so it is permanent and cannot be rubbed away. Neolase draws on its long experience of laser marking to choose the settings that suit the material.

03 / 03

THE RESULT:
A PERMANENT MARK ON A VERY HARD MATERIAL

For the customer, laser marking its tungsten carbide components with Neolase means:

Benefits of laser marking tungsten carbide for downhole drilling
Benefit	What it meant for the customer
Marks the hardest materials	The laser marks tungsten carbide, one of the hardest engineering materials, where conventional marking tools struggle.
No tool wear	The laser never touches the part, so there is no cutting tool to wear out and no changing of tools.
Permanent	The mark is part of the surface of the part, so it cannot be rubbed off.
Identifiable parts	Each component can carry a readable identification mark, supporting tracking through the supply chain and in the field.
Specialist knowledge	Neolase's experience of laser marking difficult materials means the right settings are chosen for tungsten carbide.

LASER MARKING FOR
HARD MATERIALS AND HARSH INDUSTRIES

If your parts are made from tungsten carbide or other very hard materials, tell us the material, the quantity and the mark you need. We will advise on what is achievable and mark a free sample first.

HARD MATERIAL TO MARK?
GET A SAMPLE FIRST

Tell us your material, quantity and the mark you need. We will quote within 24 hours, with a free sample marked before you commit.

Phone: +44 (0) 7557 278 390

Email: contact@neolase.co.uk

Address: 128 Blair Athol Road, Sheffield, S11 7GD

★ FREE SAMPLE MARKING ON ALL ENQUIRIES

MARKING ONE OF THE HARDEST MATERIALS.

THE CASE STUDYAT A GLANCE

THE REQUIREMENT:IDENTIFICATION ON EXTREMELY HARD PARTS

THE SOLUTION:LASER MARKING TUNGSTEN CARBIDE

THE RESULT:A PERMANENT MARK ON A VERY HARD MATERIAL

LASER MARKING FORHARD MATERIALS AND HARSH INDUSTRIES

HARD MATERIAL TO MARK?GET A SAMPLE FIRST