A detailed introduction to the cutting and engraving materials commonly used with CO2 Laser Engraving Cutting Machines

Time：2023-08-14 browse： 91

Materials for Cutting:

Material	Description	Cutting Ability
Wood	Plywood, MDF, balsa, etc.	Excellent
Acrylic (PMMA)	Transparent or colored plastic	Excellent
Leather	Natural and synthetic leather	Good
Paper	Cardstock, cardboard, etc.	Good
Fabric	Cotton, polyester, fleece, etc.	Good
Cork	Natural cork material	Good
PET	Polyethylene terephthalate (plastic)	Good
ABS	Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (plastic)	Good
PVC	Polyvinyl chloride (plastic)	Good
Polycarbonate (PC)	Transparent plastic	Good
Polypropylene (PP)	Flexible and lightweight plastic	Good
Polystyrene (PS)	Rigid, lightweight plastic	Good
Rubber	Natural and synthetic rubber	Good
Foam	Polyurethane foam and Styrofoam (EPS)	Good
Glass*	For marking purposes only	Poor (can’t cut)
Coated Metals*	Anodized aluminum, brass, steel, etc.	Poor (can’t cut, engraving only)

Materials for Engraving:

Material	Description	Engraving Ability
Wood	Hardwood, softwood, bamboo, etc.	Excellent
Acrylic (PMMA)	Transparent or colored plastic	Excellent
Cork	Natural cork material	Excellent
Leather	Natural and synthetic leather	Good
PET	Polyethylene terephthalate (plastic)	Good
ABS	Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (plastic)	Good
Coated Metals*	Anodized aluminum, brass, steel, etc.	Good
Glass and Crystal*	Glass and crystal materials	Good (creates frosted effect)
Stone and Ceramic*	Marble, granite, ceramic tiles	Light engraving

Note:

CO2 lasers cannot cut glass, metals, and stone materials directly. They are typically used for engraving or marking purposes on these materials.
The cutting and engraving abilities may vary depending on the power, focal length of the CO2 laser, and specific characteristics of the materials.

Before attempting to cut or engrave any material, it’s essential to perform test cuts or engravings on scrap pieces to determine the optimal laser settings and ensure the desired results. Additionally, remember to follow safety guidelines and use proper ventilation and protective gear when operating the CO2 Laser Engraving Cutting Machine.