Laser engraver: on what cannot be used

Materials on which laser engraving cannot be used

The laser must not be used for the processing of the following materials as their engraving could release gases and dust harmful to the environment and human health. 

List of hazardous materials:

• leather and artificial leather with chromium (VI);

• carbon fibres (carbon);

• polyvinylchloride (PVC)

• polyvinylbutyral (PBV);

• polytetrafluoroethylenes (PTFE / Teflon);

• beryllium oxide;

• materials composed of halogens such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine or estrate and epoxy or phenolic resins.

In addition to this list there are also other materials that you should deepen the composition of in order to work safely:

• manganese;

• chrome;

• nickel;

• cobalt;

• copper;

• lead.

Finally, pay close attention to products containing "flame retardants", as they could contain bromine and therefore put the project at risk. If you are not sure of the exact composition of your material, contact the seller about the substances contained within.

Safety rules to keep in mind

Although the laser engraving technique takes place through a rather simple process, it is important to keep in mind some rules for the safety of personnel and for the maintenance of the machine itself. 

Here are some tips to know:

• it is forbidden to open the door while the machine is working and insert your hands inside;

• make sure that the machine is manned by an operator while it is in operation to check any parts of material that could obstruct its correct operation;

• be careful not to drop foreign material inside the machine guides;

• it is forbidden to insert reflective plates such as mirrors or other shiny surfaces in the work area as they could deflect the laser beam and hit objects or people. For this type of processing, we therefore recommend that you equip yourself with an "application tape";

• under no circumstances is it possible to cut or laser engrave PVC as it is carcinogenic to humans and harmful to the machine.

Conclusions

Laser engraving allows you to customise a wide range of objects and recreate details with absolute precision. However, despite the wide range of suitable materials, some on the market are not suitable for this type of processing. For this reason it is important to know exactly the components of the materials on which you intend to work and check the list of hazardous elements, so as to operate safely. 

If you intend to use the laser on a material, but are not sure of its composition and have no way to verify it with the supplier, contact us and we will find the best solution for your project.