Materials not suited for laser processing (2024)

FAQs

Which material should you not use with a laser cutter? ›

To recap, these are the materials that you should never even think about cutting with your laser cutter: PVC, vinyl, and artificial leathers – they release chlorine gas, which can absolutely ruin your laser cutter's optics, metal parts and control system, not to mention that it is pretty nasty for humans too.

Materials you should not process with a laser

Leather and artificial leather that contains chromium (VI) Carbon fibers (Carbon) Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Polyvinyl butyrale (PVB)

The materials that the laser can cut materials like wood, paper, cork, and some kinds of plastics. Etching can be done on almost anything, wood, cardboard, aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, marble, stone, tile, and glass.

Foam and Styrofoam: Foam materials tend to catch fire easily and release noxious fumes when exposed to a CO2 laser's heat. The risk of fire and the potential release of harmful gases make these materials unsuitable for laser cutting or engraving. Carbon Fiber: Carbon fiber will not cut with a CO2 laser.

Laser blocking polycarbonate is commonly used in a variety of applications, including laser safety windows, protective enclosures, and machine guards in industrial and medical settings. It is also used in research and medical facilities where lasers are used regularly”.

Polycarbonate is so durable that it's even used in the safety window of laser cutting machines! That's because it is able to rapidly absorb infrared radiation, the light frequency that laser cutters use to cut materials. If you try to cut it with a laser cutter, you will likely only succeed in turning the edges black.

Materials you should not process with a laser

These materials include: Leather and artificial leather that contains chromium (VI) Carbon fibers (Carbon) Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

In addition, the energy consumption of LBM is large and the material removal rate is low. Therefore, LBM is not suitable for the mass production of metal parts.

The correct option is Chromaticity. Chromaticity is not the property of a laser because it is monochromatic. A laser emits monochromatic light or light with a single wavelength (color).

Examples include cork tiles, thin wood laminate, acrylic tiles, and paper stickers. Never cut these materials in the laser cutter if they have this backing. The glue will vaporize forming a coating on the lens that will coat it, cloud it, heat it, and then potentially crack the lens.

Is it safe to laser cut polyester? ›

Polyesters are a class of polymers that include PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PET-G and Mylar^®. Laser processing of polyesters can be performed with either a 9.3 or 10.6 micron CO₂ laser. Polyesters do not readily absorb the energy from the 1.06 micron fiber laser and is not recommended for this material.

Unlike other options, like routers or CNC cutters, laser cutting aluminum is a fast, efficient process. It also allows for no contact cutting, so the only thing touching the material during processing is light. There is absolutely no need to clamp down or otherwise secure the material.

Their low absorption of infrared laser light makes these metals challenging to cut. Copper and brass (copper-zinc alloy) are good reflectors (and therefore poor absorbers) of the infrared (IR) laser light, especially in their solid state.

Types of Materials Compatible with a Laser Cutting Machine

Lightweight materials like polyester, cotton, and fleece, are also ideal for laser cutting tables, as the results can quickly be replicated with ease and precision.

Do not aim the laser at reflective surfaces/mirror like surfaces. Never view a laser pointer using an optical instrument, such as binocular or microscope. Do not purchase a laser pointer if it does not have a caution or danger sticker on it identifying its class. Do not allow minors to use a laser pointer unsupervised.

Cast acrylic can be cut with a laser, but it will not result in flame-polished edges. This acrylic material is better suited for engraving. The other type of acrylic is known as extruded acrylic, which is a very popular cutting material for signs and promotional products.