UNSUITABLE
A handful of materials that are not viable for laser cutting
Unfortunately, there are a few materials that are best cut by something other than laser. Whether it’s toxic fumes, high reflectivity or simply too difficult to set up, some materials are just not meant to be laser cut.
Below is a list of materials that can’t be cut and their reasons:
- Poly Vinyl Chloride plastic (PVC): produces Chlorine gas and dioxins – very toxic!
- Gold/Silver: too reflective – the laser will not pierce
- Regular glass: continuously fractures along the cut edge
- Textiles/fabrics: too floppy – impossible to setup
- Ceramic/porcelain tiles: continuously fractures along the cut edge
- Polystyrene expanded foam: edge singes badly and results in tapered edge
- Polyurethane packing foam: edge singes badly and results in tapered edge