+31 40 8080 193   +31 40 8080 193

Materials for laser cutting or engraving

Our laser machines offer you extensive options for laser cutting and engraving different materials. From plexiglass to MDF and from metal to glass. There are also a number of materials that you cannot process with a laser machine. Here you will find a complete overview of different materials that we often encounter.

Are you sure that your material can be processed with a laser?

Do you work with a specific material and do you want to know whether this can also be processed on our laser machines? Then you can send us a sample of the material. We will then test free of charge for you whether the processing of your material is possible. If necessary, we adjust the settings of our laser machines so that you can work with them.

Materials that can not be processed with a laser

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

Attention with the following materials is required:

  • Manganese
  • Chromium
  • Nickel
  • Cobalt
  • Copper
  • Lead

Note with the addition "flame retardant"

Be especially careful when handling “flame retardant” materials, as they often also contain bromine. For fire retardant materials, it is best to ask the manufacturer for the exact ingredients.

Why are these materials unsuitable for laser engraving and cutting?

If the above materials are laser engraved or laser cut, dust and/or gases may be generated that endanger the laser user or the functionality of the laser machine. That is why we do not recommend the use of these materials.

Full bill of materials

Here is an overview of suitable materials for laser cutting or engraving.

++ Suitable laser processing
! Limited suitability
X Not suitable for laser processing

Material

Laser cutting

Laser engraving

Plastics++++
Metal!++
Felt and foam++!
Glass and mirrorsX++
Wood, MDF, plywood++++
Cardboard and hardboard++++
Ceramics and porcelainX++
Cork++++
Learn++++
Natural stone, granite and marbleX++
Paper++++
Textile++++
TrespaX++

Plastics

Material

Laser cutting

Laser engraving

Acrylics, Plexiglas, PMMA Similar products Acrylic glass, Acrytuf®, Altuglas®, Astralon G®, Casocryl®, Degalan®, Deglas®, Dunova®, Friacryl®, Hesa-Glas®, Limacryl®, Lucite®, Lucryl®, Paraglas®, Perspex®, Plexiglas®, Polymethyl-methacrylat (PMMA), Primal®, Resarit®++++
Aramid Similar products Aramid, Aramid fiber, Aramid tissue, Nomex®, Kevlar®, Teijinconex®, Twaron®, PTPA, Aromatic polyamide, Aramid fiber type, Aramid panels.++!
PETG, VIVAK++!
Polyamide (PA) Similar products Dederon®, Grilon®, Nylon, Perlon®, Akulon®, Timbrelle®, Rilsan®, Ultramid®, Durethan®, Trogamid T®, Vestamid®, Stanyl®, Ertalon®, Ripstop Nylon.++!
Polycarbonate, Makrolon, Lexane Similar products Anjacom®, Anjaflam®, Anjalon®, Axxis®, Decarglass, Durolon®, Latilon®, Lexan®, Makrofol®, Makrolon®, Polycarbonate, Xantar®!X
Polyester Similar products Fleece®, PES, Polarguard®, Polyester, Thermolite®, Trevira®.++!
Polyethylene, Hostalen, Vestolen, Lupolen Similar products PE, Polyäthylen, Polyethen, Alathon®, Dyneema®, Hostalen®, Lupolen®, Polythen®, Spectra®, Trolen®, Vestolen®, Luflexen®, Baylon®.++!
Polyimide, Kapton Similar products Polyimide, PI, Kapton ©, Norton © TH polyimide film.++++
Polyoxymethylene, POM Similar products Polyaceta, Polyformaldehyde, Ultraform®, Delrin®, Hostaform®, Ertacetal®.++!
Polypropylene Similar products PP, Inspire®, Nepol®, Xmod®, Bicor®, Hicor®, Vestolen P®, Polyfill®, Topilene®, Eltex®, Sequel®, Ontex®, Tatren®, Novolen®, Profax®.++++
PUR Similar products Cellasto®, Elastocoat®, Elastoflex®, Elastofoam®, Elastolit®, Elastopal®, Elastopan®, Elastopor®, Lupranol®, Baydur®, Bayfill®, Bayflex®, Baylit®, Baymer®, Baytherm®, Desmodur®++++
Styrene acrylonitrile, SAN Similar products SAN, Luran®, Tyril®, Kostil®, Vestyron®, Lustran®.++!
Polystyrene Similar products Polystyrene, PS, Hostyren®, Vestyron®, Styropor®, Hostapor®, Vestypor®.++X

Metal

Engraving is possible with a MetaQuip fiber laser or with a CO2 laser machine, where Cermark spray is required for a visible marking. A high-power fiber laser is suitable for laser cutting of metals and high-power CO2 laser machines for a number of applications.

Material

Laser cutting

Laser engraving

Aluminum++
(fiber cutter)
++
(fiber laser)
Precious metals Platinum, Gold, Silver, Rhodium, Osmium, Palladium, Iridium, Ruthenium++
(fiber cutter)

 

!
(fiber laser)

++
(fiber laser)
Iron, Copper, Nickel and Zinc++
(fiber cutter)
++
(fiber laser)
Alloys
Alpaca, Bronze, Constantan, Invar, Manganese steel, Brass
++
(fiber cutter)
++
(fiber laser)
Steel and stainless steel++
(fiber cutter)
++
(fiber laser)