Laser-induced colour marking-Sensitivity scaling for a stainless steel

► Effect of parameters of laser colour marking on the colour obtained were analyzed. ► The investigations were performed for AISI 304 stainless steel using a fibre laser. ► For all those parameters which affect the colour, stability of 10−2 (1%) is required. ► Modifications to achieve greater repeatability of colour marking were proposed. ► Two types of ageing tests, UV radiation and a salt spray test, were performed.