What Materials Are Prohibited for Use in CO2 Laser Cutting Machines?

юли 17, 2025

Докато Лазерни машини CO2 are highly versatile and efficient for cutting wood, acrylic, leather, and many plastics, not all materials are safe or suitable for laser processing. Using the wrong material can lead to toxic fumes, equipment damage, and even serious safety hazards. Below are materials that should never be cut with a CO₂ laser cutter, along with the reasons why.

1. Chlorine-Containing Plastics (e.g., PVC, Polyvinyl Chloride)

Risk: Releases highly toxic chlorine gas when burned.
Why Avoid: Chlorine is corrosive to the internal components of the laser cutter—especially lenses and metal housings—and extremely dangerous for operators.

2. PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene, Brand Name: Teflon)

Risk: Emits fluorine-based gases that are extremely toxic.
Why Avoid: Exposure to these gases can pose severe health risks and damage ventilation systems.

3. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Plastic

Risk: Produces sticky soot and toxic fumes.
Why Avoid: Melts rather than vaporizes, coating optics and reducing the performance of your CO2 лазерна машина. It also emits a pungent, harmful smoke.

4. Galvanized Metal and Zinc-Coated Sheets

Risk: Generates toxic zinc oxide fumes.
Why Avoid: Zinc fumes are harmful when inhaled and can also contaminate the internal parts of the machine, leading to long-term performance issues.

5. Polycarbonate (Certain Types)

Risk: Poor cutting quality, highly flammable.
Why Avoid: Instead of vaporizing cleanly, polycarbonate tends to melt, burn, and emit harmful smoke. The laser cannot cut it efficiently, leading to inconsistent results.

6. Flammable Foams (e.g., Polyurethane Foam)

Risk: High fire hazard and toxic smoke production.
Why Avoid: Foam materials can ignite easily during cutting, creating uncontrolled fires and harmful gas emissions that endanger both operators and equipment.

7. Highly Reflective or Thick Metals (e.g., Aluminum, Copper)

Risk: Reflects laser beam, causes internal damage.
Why Avoid: CO₂ lasers have low absorption efficiency for reflective metals. Reflected beams may bounce back into the machine, damaging the laser tube or mirrors.

Quick Safety Tip from Superstar Laser

Every time you are to use the CO2 Laser Machine for a new material, first of all, refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or consult a material expert. If you don’t have a clear idea about the chemical composition of the material, don’t dare try to cut it under any circumstances.

At Superstar Laser, our target is to make safety and productivity equally important. Our CO₂ laser machines are designed for long use—the catch is that you use compatible materials only. Adequate use means a lack of dirt in the cut, a longer life of the machine, and, most importantly, a safe process.