Laser Cutting Materials

Commonly Used Materials

Gas-based laser cutters are capable of cutting and engraving a wide range of materials.

However, some materials cannot be processed for a multitude of reasons. It might be because the material is too thick and the laser cannot cut it, or because the material is highly flammable or toxic when exposed to heat. Depending on the strength and other specifications of the machine you are using, the maximum material thickness will be something that varies from machine to machine. Typical power levels will range between 30 and 120W, with lasers having a higher power output being used mainly in industrial applications.

It is always advisable to check these characteristics of the particular laser cutter that you will be using so as to know what your design limitations are. Nonetheless, below you can find a table of materials that can be generally cut or engraved with a CO2 laser cutter.

Hazardous Materials

There are some materials that should never be processed with a laser because it would create toxic gases or dust, which would be hazardous to health or could even damage the machine.

These materials include (but are not limited to):

• Leather and artificial leather that contains chromium (VI)
• Carbon fibers (Carbon)
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• Polyvinyl butyrale (PVB)
• Polytetrafluoroethylenes (PTFE / Teflon)
• Beryllium oxide
• Any material containing halogens (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine), epoxy or phenolic resins

Chapters

I Introduction

II Materials

III Creating a Design for Laser Cutting

IV Using a Laser Cutter