Materials Suitable for Cutting with a CO2 Laser

For cutting with 150 watts or less, a practical maximum thickness limit from .125″ to 1.0″ applies to many organic materials. The limit varies greatly depending on material density and composition. Some low-density foam materials up to 2.0″ thick can also be cut. The maximum thickness for cutting and speed of processing are heavily influenced by the amount of applied laser energy, so more power (75-150 watts) is recommended for processing thicker material or for higher productivity.

The following materials are suitable for CO₂ laser cutting, engraving, and marking:

• Plastics
• Rubbers/elastomers
• Foams
• Fabrics
• Papers
• Woods
• Composites (if metal or other inorganic content is minimal)

This information originally appears in a Universal Laser Systems blog post.