Material Compatibility for CO2 and Fiber Laser Engravers
What materials can I mark or cut with my laser engraver?
Date updated:
10/22/2023
Machine Series:
Fusion Maker, Fusion Edge, Fusion Pro
Categories:
General Questions
This article documents compatible materials and those to avoid when marking or cutting using CO2 and fiber laser engravers.
CO2 and fiber lasers can mark and interact with many materials. Below is a list of many, but not all compatible materials. When researching a potentially compatible material, it is important to obtain the safety data sheet of the material.
A safety data sheet (SDS), also known as a material safety data sheet (MSDS), is a document that provides detailed information about the potential hazards and safety precautions associated with a particular chemical substance or product. In the context of laser engraving, safety data sheets are important as they provide crucial information about the chemicals and materials used in the material making process. Since laser engraving involves the use of lasers to etch or mark surfaces, materials may emit fumes, particles, or vapors when exposed to the laser beam. Due to this, certain materials may pose a potential risk to health and safety of the engraver operator as well as potential damage to the engraver.
Materials containing the any of the following substances should be avoided to limit potentially harmful effects to the engraver operator and the engraver:
A safety data sheet (SDS), also known as a material safety data sheet (MSDS), is a document that provides detailed information about the potential hazards and safety precautions associated with a particular chemical substance or product. In the context of laser engraving, safety data sheets are important as they provide crucial information about the chemicals and materials used in the material making process. Since laser engraving involves the use of lasers to etch or mark surfaces, materials may emit fumes, particles, or vapors when exposed to the laser beam. Due to this, certain materials may pose a potential risk to health and safety of the engraver operator as well as potential damage to the engraver.
Materials containing the any of the following substances should be avoided to limit potentially harmful effects to the engraver operator and the engraver:
- Hydrogen Chloride
- Vinyl Chloride
- Halogens (chlorine, fluorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine)
- Artificial leather containing chromium
- Epoxy
- Phenolic resins
| CO2 Material Compatibility | Fiber Material Compatibility | ||||
| Material | Engrave | Cut | Material | Engrave | |
| Acrylic | X | X | 17-4 PH Stainless Steel | X | |
| Anodized Aluminum | X | 303 Stainless Steel | X | ||
| Ceramic | X | 4043 Steel | X | ||
| Cloth | X | X | 6061 Aluminum | X | |
| Coated Metals | X | Bayer 2807 Makrolon polycarbonate | X | ||
| Corian | X | X | Bayers Bayblend FR110 | X | |
| Cork | X | X | Black/White ABS | X | |
| Delrin | X | X | Brass | X | |
| Fabric | X | X | Brushed Aluminum | X | |
| Fiberglass | X | X | Carbon Nanotube | X | |
| Glass | X | Clear Coat Anodized Aluminum | X | ||
| Leather | X | X | Cobalt Chrome Steel | X | |
| Marble | X | Colored Delrin (Black/White) | X | ||
| Matte Board | X | X | Compacted Power Iron w/ FePO4 Coating | X | |
| Melanine | X | X | Copper | X | |
| Mother of Pearl | X | DAP - Diallyl Phthalate | X | ||
| Mylar | X | X | GE Plastics Polycarbonate Resin 121-R | X | |
| Painted Metals | X | Glass Filled PEK | X | ||
| Paper | X | X | Glass Filled Teflon | X | |
| Plastic | X | X | Hard Coat Anodized Aluminum | X | |
| Powder Coated Metals | X | Machine Tool Steel | X | ||
| Pressboard | X | X | Magnesium | X | |
| Rubber | X | X | Metal Plated Ceramics | X | |
| Tile | X | Molybdenum | X | ||
| Wood | X | X | Nickel Plated 1215 Mild Steel | X | |
| Wood Veneer | X | X | Nylon | X | |
| Bare Metals | * | Polybutylene Terephthalate | X | ||
| Brass | * | Polysulphone | X | ||
| Stainless Steel | * | Rynite PET | X | ||
| Titanium | * | Santoprene | X | ||
| Silicon Carbide | X | ||||
| *CO2 lasers will mark bare metals when coated with a metal marking solution. | Silicon Steel | X | |||
| Silicon Wafers | X | ||||
| Nickel-Chromium Super Alloys | X | ||||
| White PEEK | X | ||||
| Yellow Chromate Aluminum | X | ||||
| Zinc Plated Mild Steel | X | ||||
For further questions on material compatibility and material safety, contact the Epilog Laser Applications Lab by phone at 303-277-1188 or by web by clicking here: Epilog Laser Applications Lab
For a list of material settings, please reference the User Manual for your engraver by clicking here: Epilog Laser Machine Manuals
If further assistance is required, please visit www.epiloglaser.com/support to contact Epilog Laser Technical Support.
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