microengraved

Microengraved refers to surfaces that carry engravings at the micrometer scale, produced by specialized engraving or etching techniques. The resulting text or imagery can be observed with magnification and may be applied to a range of materials including metals, polymers, and glass. Microengraving is used to create highly dense information in a small area.

Techniques used to produce microengraved features include laser micromachining with femtosecond, picosecond, or nanosecond lasers; photochemical etching; chemical milling; and micro-embossing or mechanical engraving adapted for micro-scale work. These methods create shallow relief patterns or incisions that convey readable text or detailed images when viewed at sufficient magnification.

Applications are most prominent in security and authentication, where microengraved features serve as anti-counterfeiting elements on banknotes, passports, certificates, and luxury items. They are also used for data encoding on small surfaces, artistic or jewelry inscriptions, and research or prototyping in microfabrication. Often, microengraved elements are combined with microtext or other security features to enhance verifiability.

Advantages include high information density, durability of the engraved features, and resistance to some forms of wear. Limitations involve the need for specialized, high-precision equipment and expertise, potential production costs, and the requirement for magnification or imaging tools to read or verify the microfeatures.

See also: microprinting, microtext, security printing, laser engraving, microfabrication.