ISO: Clear material (thin) that changes color when engraved

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So, the guy who runs the model shop at my company asked me this question.

Are you aware of any thin clear materials (1/32” – 1/16”) that when scored on the laser the score line turns a color? We used to have something like this (scored a burnt orange color) but have since run out and I don’t know what the material actually was.

I guess it was some older material that was ordered before he took over the shop, and he’s trying to find some more of it. I don’t know of anything, but I know there are people here who have found some pretty esoteric materials, so I figured it was worth asking if anyone here has any ideas.

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In the way back of the beginning here, there was someone who played around with heating …titanium to varying degrees to add colored hues to it…doesn’t’ really help but…
I found many references from 16 and 17 but not an original thread.

I’ll bet i know where it is and why I can’t find it….

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Sounds a little like cellulose acetate, but it gives off acidic fumes you probaly don’t want in your GF.

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he did say it was particularly smelly, so maybe that’s it?

for now, i talked to him about scoring with masking and painting or using an oil marker to color the score lines. hopefully that’ll work for him.

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Apparently quite a rabbit hole…

most I think turn back and break (quit changing color) if too hot (Like hit with a laser)

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I used to love my hypercolor shirt back in the 90s. :smiley:

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It would be interesting to have a design that only showed up if the shirt got wet :slightly_smiling_face:

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Bwahaha!! So many thoughts but I will keep them to myself. LOL

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They make adorable umbrellas in Japan that do that. It’s a judicious-use of-water-repellent-coatinngs rather than laser thing tho.

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