Patent ID: 10060037

Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for preserving a mark on a metallic workpiece prior to a chemical etching process to remove a surface material from a surface of the workpiece carrying the mark, the method comprising the steps of: deepening the mark relative to the surface to form a first depth; and depositing a filling material into the first depth, wherein the filling material is adapted to be removed during the chemical process, such that a second depth is obtained at the mark after the chemical process. The present invention also relates to a method of treating a metallic workpiece to preserve a mark on the surface of the workpiece, the method comprising the step of treating at least a portion of the surface of the workpiece surrounding the mark to remove at least a surface oxide layer from the mark, the treating step being arranged such that it does not remove all of the surface material from said portion of the surface of the workpiece, but removes at least the surface oxide layer from the mark.