What Materials Can A Laser Cutter Cut?

Are you wanting to use a custom laser cutting service but you’re unsure what materials a laser cutter can cut? In this blog, we’ll talk you through what materials these revolutionary machines can cut through and also explain a bit about how these cutters work.

At Salamander Fabrications, we have two high-performance bystronic lasers that can cut through a range of materials and are suitable for projects on varying scales. To find out more about our laser cutter services, contact us on 01484 843599.

What Is Laser Cutting?

Laser cutting is the process of using strong laser beams to melt or burn materials into the desired shape. Gas is blown onto the heated area to cool it as the material is cut which allows it to maintain its shape as the laser continues cutting.

For a more in-depth explanation of the laser cutting process, we have a dedicated page on how laser cutting works. 

Materials Used in Laser Cutting

What makes laser cutting such a brilliant cutting method is its versatility and the ability to cut through a wide range of materials with ease. Where other methods may fail or require additional steps, lasers are powerful enough to create accurate, clean cuts through a range of plastics, woods and metals. 

There are also different types of laser cutters from CO2 to crystal cutters, each being designed for use on different materials. So what materials can a laser cutter cut?

Metal

Laser cutters are most commonly known for their ability to cut through most metals and are used in industrial settings on a wide range of metals. Laser cutting is in fact a primary process in metal sheet fabrication and has become an industry staple for cutting metals like stainless steel. It’s important to note that although laser cutters have a limited depth, advanced machines can cut up to 50mm. Laser cutters are suitable for these metals:

• Steel – Stainless steel and mild steel. This corrosion-resistant metal is heavily used in household appliances and the food industry.
• Brass – A versatile metal, brass can be easily melted and is often used to create household pipes and pumps. 
• Aluminium – A lightweight metal, aluminium laser cutting is favoured in the transport sector and is commonly used in manufacturing aircraft and automotive parts.
• Titanium – Extremely strong, lightweight and with a high melting point, this metal is used in a number of industries but is regularly used to provide structural support in the construction industry.
• Copper – As a powerful conductor of electricity, copper is most commonly used in wiring but we also see it in our currency with copper coins. 

All of these metals are used across a wide range of industries, most notably the construction sector. Laser cutting these metals allows for a fast turnaround of supplies that can be used on building and industrial sites. 

Wood

Laser cutters are great for cutting and engraving complex patterns and shapes into wood, and with the help of CAD services, lasers can create a range of beautiful custom designs. Laser cutters can be used with:

• MDF – A multipurpose material, with wood is used in house construction, furniture, flooring and much more. 
• Plywood – Made from birch, bamboo, or beech wood. 
• Poplar
• Balsa

It’s important to note that wood that contains natural sap or resin cannot be cut with a laser cut as this can cause the wood to catch fire.

Plastic

Plastics are by far the most varied material that can be laser cut, with all sorts of plastics being cut to create furniture, industrial parts, kitchen utensils, clothing and much more. Polyethylene is the most common plastic in the world and as such is most frequently used in laser cutting, but you can also cut a range of other plastics including: 

• Acrylic – A versatile plastic, we see this plastic all around us in beauty products like false nails, furniture, electronic screens and more. 
• Polyester – Most commonly used in the textile industry, we use polyester to make clothes, bedding, tents etc. 
• Polyurethane – A foam-like plastic, this is used to provide cushion or padding in furniture as well as in construction for flooring underlay and wall insulation.
• Polypropylene – Commonly used in the food and packaging industry, this plastic is used for food packaging, bottles, yoghurt pots and more.
• PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) – The clear water bottles we see in every store are made from this material, along with synthetic fibre clothes. 

There are some plastics however that should never be used with a laser cutter, but we’ll cover those later on.

Paper and Card

With the wide variety of laser cutting machines on the market today, you’re now able to buy laser cutters for home or small business rather than for cutting on an industrial scale. These machines are perfect for creating cuttings and designs on paper and card and can help make quick work of crafts projects and retail and leisure displays made from:

• Corrugated card
• Art paper
• Corrugated card
• Construction paper
• Copy and print paper

What Materials Cannot Be Cut with a Laser Cutter?

Whilst a laser cutter is a popular option thanks to the diverse range of materials it can cut, there are still some plastics, metals and wood that are not suitable for laser cutting.

• PVC – This is a dangerous material to use with a laser cutter and should never be cut in this way as heating the plastic with a laser causes toxic fumes. 
• Polystyrene – This foam-like plastic is extremely flammable and should never be used with a laser cutter due to the high risk of catching fire.
• Fibreglass – This material is a mixture of glass and epoxy resin, and just like with PVC cutting through epoxy with a laser produces toxic fumes and so this should never be done.
• Polypropylene – This plastic tends to melt which makes it difficult to achieve a clean cut. The melting also produces burnt/ discoloured areas on the surface and produces smoke as the material burns. 

Don’t Cut Corners – Choose Salamander for Custom Laser Cutting

What materials can a laser cutter cut? Now that you’ve come to the end of this blog, you should know the answer to your question and understand which materials are suitable for the process. 

If you’ve got a project that involves sheet metal fabrication and you’re in the market for custom laser cutting, why not get started with Salamander Fabrications?

Our laser cutters are built to the highest industry standards and are designed to ensure a fast product turnaround with a high-quality, smooth-cutting finish. To kickstart your project today, get in touch with one of our experts.