What types of plastic can be laser engraved?
What types of plastic can you process with a laser?
- Polyamide (PA)
- Polycarbonate (PC)
- Polyethylene (PE)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polyoxymethylene (POM)
- Polyarylsulfone (PSU, PPSU)
- Poly ether ketone (PEEK)
- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS)
Can you engrave plastic?
Engraving is a great way to customize or personalize various items, whether they be made out of metal, wood, stone or even plastic. Engraving plastic is much easier than engraving metal or stone, as plastics are soft and the material can be etched away faster and smoother with modern engraving tools.
Can you engrave plastic with a fiber laser?
When marking plastics using a fiber laser, the term “engraving” is really not accurate since the laser doesn’t remove any material. It only changes the color of it. Thus, a more accurate term would be to “mark” the material. FiberGrave is a modified acrylic material.
Is laser marking permanent?
Both laser etching and engraving fall under the general category of laser marking. Laser etching and engraving are similar in that they produce permanent marks created when a laser removes material from the surface of an object.
Can you laser mark PVC?
Although polyvinyl chloride (PVC) can in fact be cut with laser, the thermal process produces hydrochloric acid and toxic fumes. For this reason, we advise you not to use laser for cutting PVC in order to prevent corrosion of your laser system and to ensure the safety of the machine operator.
Can you laser engrave acrylic?
Cast acrylic is ideal for engraving because it turns a frosty white color when engraved. Cast acrylic can be cut with a laser, but it will not result in flame-polished edges. Extruded acrylic will cut cleanly and smoothly and will have a flame-polished edge when laser cut.
Can you laser engrave polypropylene plastic?
Polypropylene can be processed with a 9.3 or 10.6 micron CO2 laser without an appreciable difference in process quality. Polypropylene does not readily absorb the energy of the 1.06 micron fiber laser. Laser engraving and laser marking of polypropylene are possible using a CO2 laser.
Can you laser engrave PVC?
Can you laser Mark White Delrin?
Delrin® Overview Laser engraving Delrin® with a 10.6 micron wavelength CO2 laser can produce a high degree of detail and relief. A 1.06 micron wavelength Fiber laser can be used to laser mark Delrin® in certain cases. The foam scatters light creating an off-white, indelible mark in the Delrin® surface.
Can laser marking be removed?
Laser Marking does not remove material. It creates a marking by heating the surface of the metal resulting in oxidation of the material immediately under the surface layer. But since laser marking only alters the surface, the marking will disappear once the top layer is removed.
