The Zinc Oxide Marker, or "powder marker", uses dry zinc oxide powder and an oxy-fuel torch to produce marked lines on a plate surface.  Dry zinc powder is stored in a small tank on top of the torch.  Oxygen is blown through the tank, picking up zinc powder and carrying it through the torch nozzle center bore.  When the zinc powder and oxygen mixture is heated by the preheat flame as it leaves the nozzle, the melted zinc creates a visible line on the plate surface.  The color depends on the powder color (grey or white).  The line thickness will depend on the nozzle type and marking speed.

Although different marks can be created such as continuous or dotted line marking, lettering, assemby marks, the zinc marking process is best suited for high speed marking of long straight lines, as used in shipyard panel production. 

The zinc marking process has been largely supplanted by plasma marking, due to maintenance requirements, mark quality, and cost of consumables. 

Zinc Oxide Markers are available on larger ESAB CNC Cutting Machines, including: