Problem Materials

Unfortunately, some materials cannot be safely processed with our CO2 laser. 

These include:-

PLASTICS

• PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) / Vinyl
  • Releases chlorine gas when lasered
  • Produces hydrochloric acid, which corrodes the machine
  • Extremely harmful to lungs and optics
• ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
  • Emits cyanide compounds when burned
  • Melts instead of vaporizing → messy edges
• Polycarbonate (aka Lexan)
  
  • Doesn’t cut cleanly → melts and chars (yellow/black edge finish)
  • Creates toxic fumes
  • Leaves sticky residue on machine / optics
• Fibreglass
  • Contains glass fibres and resin → toxic fumes and particles
  • Damages optics of the machine (and lungs of the operator)
• Polystyrene Foam (aka Styrofoam)
  • Highly flammable
  • Melts and produces toxic styrene gas
• Polyurethane Foam
  • Highly flammable
  • Emits isocyanates (hazardous)

TIMBERS

• Pressure-Treated Wood
  • Contains chemicals like arsenic or copper compounds
  • Toxic fumes when burned
• Painted or Varnished Materials
  • Unknown coatings → potential toxic fumes
  • Can ignite when cut
  • Produces sticky residue.

OTHER PROBLEM MATERIALS

• Leather (Chrome Tanned)
  • Releases hexavalent chromium (toxic)
    
• Carbon Fibre
  • Can cause delamination and structural weakness
  • Brittle, charred edges
  • Conductive dust, damages the laser
• Artificial Leather (aka Pleather)
  
  • Often PVC based (see issues above)
  • Brittle, charred edges
• Rubbers (Some)
  
  • Absorbs a lot of heat → edge cuts not clean.
  • Sooty residue is inherent with processing
  • Some grades release toxic gasses (e.g. Neoprene)
  • Tricky to process thick materials (lots of passes required)
• General Material Rules 
  
  • Reflective/highly polished materials (can reflect laser beam and damage tube/mirrors)
  • Any material containing, chlorine, fluorine, or bromine

Please contact us if you're unsure whether your material is suitable.