Test Your Material
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FAQ: What materials will cut and engrave with a laser?
Laser systems are versatile tools capable of cutting or engraving a wide range of materials. The exact answer to this question will vary based on the wavelength of the laser source installed on the chosen laser system.
Kern’s CO2 laser systems are generally equipped with a wavelength of 10.6 micrometers. This specific wavelength is particularly effective for processing wood, plastic, glass, foam, textiles, and light gauge metal. Machines in Kern’s lineup equipped with CO2 lasers include the OptiFlex, LaserCELL, MICRO, EcoFlex and OptiDual.
The wavelength of a fiber laser is typically around 1.06 micrometers (or 1060 nanometers), which places it in the near-infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum. This wavelength is especially effective for processing metals such as aluminum, stainless steel, brass, copper, titanium, and mild steel. The FiberCELL is Kern’s only laser model in this category.
Please visit our Applications & Materials page for additional information on specific materials and their most popular applications.
LASERABLE MATERIALS
What materials can be laser processed? The list continues to grow!
Materials marked with an asterisks(*) may release harmful foams and/or chemical when laser processed. Please review a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before processing all material, to determine if it can be safely processed. Extra precaution with fume removal, PPE and additional cleaning of the laser system may be required.
A
ABS*
Acrylic
Airbag Material
Alder
Alumina
Aluminum
Alumamark
Anodized Aluminum
Aspen
D
Delrin
Denim
Draftboard
Duck Cloth
F
Faux Leather
Felt
Fiberboard
Fiberglass
Flax
Foam
Foil
Formica*
FR4
I
Ivory Acrylic
Inlay Veneer
Insulation Material
Inconel
L
Leather
Linen
Laminate
Lexan
Lime Wood
Linoleum
Luan Wood
Lycra
P
Paper
PET
PETG
Phenolic
Plexiglass
Plywood
Polycarbonate
Polyethylene
Polyester
Polypropylene
Polystyrene
Polyurethane
PVDF Film
PVC*
Plastic
Porcelain
Pyrex
T
Tagboard
Teak Wood
Teflon
Titanium
Tulle
Twill
Tyvek
Tungsten
V
Veneer
Velvet
Vinyl*
Vulcanized Fiber
Vitreous Enamel Panels
B
Bamboo
Bakelite
Balsa Wood
Basswood
Beech Wood
Birch Plywood
Black Walnut
Brick
Bristol Board
Brass
Butyrate
E
Elm Wood
EVA Foam
Epoxy Resin
Eucalyptus Wood
Engraving Laminates
G
G10
Glass
Gatorfoam
Graphite
Gypsum Board
Galvanized Steel
Granite
Gold Leaf
Gum Wood
J
Jelutong
Jersey Fabric
Jute
M
Mahogany Wood
Maple Wood
Marble
Masonite
MDF
Melamine
Metal
Microfiber
Mild Steel
Mirror
Mylar
Molybdenum
Q
Quilted Fabric
Quartz
S
Sandpaper
Satin
Silicone
Slate
Softwood
Spruce Wood
Stainless Steel
Steel
Stone
Styrene
Suede
Silicon Wafer
Styrofoam
W
Walnut Wood
Wax Sheets
Whiteboard Material
Wood
Wood Felt
Y
Yew Wood
Yupo Paper
Yellow Pine
Styrene
C
Canvas
Carbide
Carbon Fiber
Carbon Steel
Cardboard
Carpet
Cast Acrylic
Cellulose Acetate
Ceramic
Cherry Wood
Chipboard
Cold Rolled Steel
Composites
Copper
Cork
Corian
Cotton
Crystal
Cloth
H
Hardwoods
HDPE
Hemp Fabric
Hessian
K
Kapton
Kevlar
Koa Wood
Kraft Paper
Kydex
N
Natural Rubber
Neoprene
Nickel
Nida Core
Nitrile Rubber
Nomex
Nylon
O
Oak Wood
Obeche Wood
Oilcloth
Onyx
Opal Acrylic
OSB
Orthopedic Foam
Oxford Cloth
R
Rattan
Rayon
Red Oak Wood
Rhinestone Sheets
Rigid Foam
Rosewood
Rowmark
Rubber
U
UHMW
Ultem
Urethane
Upholstery Fabrics
X
XPS Foam
Z
Zebrawood
Zebrano Wood
Zinc
Zote Foam