Marking Standards for Aerospace Applications

Applications

Part marking in the aerospace industry applies to a variety of components and is done primarily for traceability, safety, quality control, and regulatory compliance. Applications include:

• Turbine blades and vanes
• Fule nozzles
• Fuselage frames
• Spars
• Landing gear
• Circuit boards

Marks may be applied directly to the part (commonly referred to as direct part marking or DPM) or on a tag that is fixed to the component. These marks help identify parts throughout their lifecycle, from manufacturing to maintenance, repair, and ultimately retirement. Choosing the best technique depends on factors ranging from mark type (human-readable characters or Data Matrix) and component material to mark location and part size. For instance, although laser marking is an acceptable method, you must choose a suitable laser source and consider the potential impact of any heat-affected zones (HAZ). Fiber lasers are typically best suited for metals. Dot peening creates a mark through a cold forming process and material deformation, which may result in localized microstructural changes and residual compressive stresses. Since dot peen machines use a carbide stylus to form the mark, both the angle and radius of the tip can be specified to reduce any mechanical stress introduced by the marking process.