Materials List
This is a general list of materials. This list does not include all materials that can be cut or should not be cut.
Generally Usable Materials |
Notes
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Acrylic/Lucite/Plexiglas/PMMA |
Cuts very well and consistently.
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Most woods |
Avoid oily/resinous woods Be very careful about cutting oily woods, or very resinous woods as they also may catch fire.
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MDF/Engineered woods |
These are okay to use but may experience a higher amount of charring when cut.
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Plywood/Composite woods |
These contain glue, and may not laser cut as well as solid wood. Some plywood contains materials that won't cut.
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Paper, card stock |
Cuts very well on the laser cutter, and also very quickly.
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Cardboard, carton, Boxboard |
Cuts well, but may catch fire. Beware of coatings.
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Cork |
Cuts nicely, Engineered cork has a lot of glue in it, and may not cut as well.
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ABS Plastic |
Allow to vent prior to opening cutter.
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Delrin (POM) |
Harder Delrin tends to work better.
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Kapton tape (Polyimide) |
Works well, in thin sheets and strips like tape.
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Mylar |
Thick mylar has a tendency to warp, bubble, and curl, gold coated won't cut.
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Magnetic Sheet |
Cuts well.
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Teflon (PTFE) |
Cuts OK in thin sheets. Don't breath fumes.
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Coroplast ('corrugated plastic') |
Not recommended, shape makes it difficult to cut.
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Engravable Materials |
Notes
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All the above "cuttable" materials can be etched, results may vary. |
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In addition, you can etch slightly: |
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Glass |
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Ceramic tile |
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Anodized aluminum |
Burns the Anodization away.
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Painted/coated metals |
Burns the paint away.
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Stone |
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Special Materials |
These require some practice/experience to produce good results
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High density polyethylene (HDPE) |
Melts/Burns
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Nylon |
Melts
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PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol) |
Melts
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Polyethylene (PE) |
Melts
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Polypropylene (PP) |
Melts
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Styrene |
Melts/burns, Laser needs to be cleaned after cutting produces significant dust.
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Carbon fiber mats/weave |
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Leather/Suede |
Leather is very hard to cut well, but can be if it's thinner than a belt (call it 1/8"), engraving can produce mixed results .
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Thin Polycarbonate Sheeting |
(<1mm) Can be cut, but melts and discolors easily
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Depron foam |
Must be constantly monitored very flammable. Used a lot for hobby, RC aircraft, architectural models, and toys.
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Gator foam |
Foam core gets burned and eaten away compared to the top and bottom hard paper shell. Not a fantastic thing to cut, but it can be cut if watched.
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Cloth/felt/hemp/cotton |
They all cut well. Lasers can be used in lace-making. Not plastic coated or impregnated cloth!
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NON-CHLORINE-containing rubber |
Fine for cutting, can melt.
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Mirrored/reflective Surfaces |
laser can reflect and damage lens/eyes if doors are open.
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Do Not Cut |
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Polycarbonate (PC, Lexan) |
Very poor cut
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Any material containing chlorine |
Burning releases Chlorine Gas will damage parts of the machine
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PVC (Cintra) (KYDEX)– contains chlorine |
Burning releases Chlorine Gas will damage parts of the machine
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Vinyl |
Burning releases Chlorine Gas will damage parts of the machine
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Pleather or artificial leather |
Burning releases Chlorine Gas will damage parts of the machine
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Coated Carbon fiber |
Caustic Fumes
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Epoxy or things containing Epoxy |
Will not Cut effectively and Caustic Fumes
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Treated wood |
Caustic Fumes
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