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Laser cuttingis an advanced processing technology widely used in the manufacturing fields of automobiles, home appliances, electronic products, etc. It achieves the purpose of cutting by irradiating the surface of the material with a high-power density laser beam, causing the material to melt, vaporize or burn rapidly.This article will introduce in detail what materials are commonly used in laser cutting?

What Is Laser Cutting?

Laser cutting is a high-precision, non-contact material processing technologythat uses a high-energy-density laser beam as a "cutting tool" and accurately controls the movement path of the laser through a computer program, so that the laser beam is focused on the surface or inside of the material, generating high temperatures to quickly melt, vaporize, evaporate or reach the ignition point of the material, and at the same time, auxiliary gases (such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon, etc.) are used to blow away the melted or vaporized material, thereby achieving the purpose of cutting. This technology can process a variety of materials including metals (such as stainless steel, aluminum alloys, titanium alloys), non-metals (such as wood, plastics, glass, ceramics), etc., and has the advantages of fast speed, high precision, good edge quality, high degree of automation, and high material utilization.

What Metal Materials Are Used in laser cutting？

As a high-precision and high-efficiency processing method, laser cutting has been widely used in the field of metal material processing. Here are some commonmetal materials suitable for laser cutting:

(1)Aluminium

• Characteristics:light weight, corrosion resistance, easy processing and molding, and has good electrical and thermal conductivity.
  
• Application:Widely used in construction, transportation, packaging, electronics and other fields, aluminum cladding materials are often used to make doors and windows, furniture, decorative materials, etc.
  

(2)Steel

• Characteristics:high strength, good toughness, wear resistance, and good weldability and processability.
  
• Application:Widely used in automobiles, construction, machinery and other fields, steel cladding materials are often used to make structural parts, connectors, etc.

(3)Stainless steel

• Characteristics:Excellent corrosion and high temperature resistance, and easy to clean and maintain.
  
• Application:Widely used in medical, food, chemical and other fields, stainless steel cladding materials are often used to make medical equipment, tableware, containers, etc.

(4)Copper

• Characteristics:It has good electrical and thermal conductivity, and has certain antibacterial properties.
  
• Application:Widely used in electrical, construction, plumbing and other fields, copper cladding materials are often used to make wires and cables, pipes, etc.
  

(5)Titanium alloy

• Characteristics:high strength, low density, good corrosion resistance, and good biocompatibility.
  
• Application:Widely used in aerospace, medical and other fields, titanium alloy coating materials are often used in the production of aircraft engine parts, medical equipment, etc.

(6)Nickel alloys
Nickel alloys are known for their ability to withstand extreme temperatures, making them ideal for use in industries such as aerospace and chemical processing. These alloys maintain their strength and integrity even at high temperatures, ensuring the reliability of engines, turbines, and chemical reactors at high temperatures.

(7)Precious metals (silver, gold, platinum)
Precious metals such as silver, gold, and platinum are prized not only for their intrinsic value, but also for their machinability and aesthetic appeal in laser cutting applications. These metals are mainly used to make beautiful jewelry and ornaments, and the precision cutting and engraving process further enhances their charm and value. The use of laser cutting technology opens up completely new possibilities for complex design and personalization in the luxury sector.

What Non-Metallic Materials Are Used in Laser Cutting?

Laser cutting technology is suitable for a variety of non-metallic materials. The following are some common classifications and specificexamples of laser cuttingnon-metallic materials:

(1) Paper and paper jams

• Characteristics: Paper and cardboard are common printing and packaging materials with good plasticity and printing effects.
• Laser cutting effect: Laser cutting of paper and cardboard can achieve high-precision and fast cutting, and the edges after cutting are neat and burr-free.
• Application: Commonly used in the production of business cards, greeting cards, packaging boxes, etc. Cardboard, as a type of thick paper between paper and cardboard, is also often used for laser cutting to achieve fine patterns and text cutting.

(2) Wood

• Characteristics: Wood is a natural organic material with good processing properties and decorative effects.
• Laser cutting effect: Laser cutting of wood can achieve high-precision, non-contact cutting. The edges after cutting are neat and smooth, without the need for secondary processing.
• Application: Commonly used in furniture manufacturing, architectural decoration, handicraft production and other fields.

(3) Organic glass

• Characteristics: Plexiglas (also known as acrylic) is a transparent or translucent plastic material with high transparency, good processing properties and weather resistance.
• Laser cutting effect: Laser cutting of plexiglass can achieve fine cutting and engraving. The edges after cutting are clear, smooth and not easy to break.
• Application: Commonly used in the production of billboards, display stands, light boxes, etc.

(4) Fabric

• Characteristics: Fabric is a soft, malleable material commonly used in clothing, home decoration and other fields.
• Laser cutting effect: Laser cutting of fabric can achieve contactless cutting. The edges after cutting are neat and smooth without damaging the fiber structure of the fabric.
• Application: Commonly used in clothing cutting, production of home decorations, etc.

(5) Plastic

• Properties: Plastic is a widely used synthetic material with good processability, corrosion resistance and insulation properties.
  Laser cutting effect: Laser cutting of plastic can achieve high-precision and fast cutting, and the edges after cutting are neat and smooth.
• Different types of plastics have different absorption and reflection characteristics of laser, so it is necessary to select appropriate laser cutting parameters according to the specific plastic type.
• Application: Commonly used in the manufacturing of electronic product casings, auto parts, toys, etc.

A variety of plastics are suitable for laser cutting, and here are some of the best plastic types for laser cutting:

• Polyethylene (PE): has good wear resistance and corrosion resistance. The surface of the cut PE is smooth and no secondary processing is required.
• Polypropylene (PP):Characteristics: Excellent heat resistance and chemical corrosion resistance. The edges after cutting are neat and can be used to make high-precision plastic parts.
• Polyester (PET): PET plastic is commonly used in beverage bottles, food packaging and other fields. It has good transparency and mechanical properties. Also suitable for laser cutting, but specific results may be affected by material thickness and cutting parameters.
• Polyamide (PA): PA plastic, also known as nylon, has good wear resistance and impact resistance. Also suitable for laser cutting, it can be used to make a variety of precision parts and components.

Why Are Lasers Used for Cutting Materials?

The reasons for usinglaser cutting materialsare mainly based on the multiple advantages of laser cutting technology, which make laser cutting the preferred cutting method in many industrial production and manufacturing fields.

Advantages	Description
High precision	Laser cutting technology is known for its excellent positioning accuracy, usually up to 0.05mm, and the repeatable positioning accuracy is as accurate as 0.02mm. This characteristic makes it particularly good at cutting precision parts and producing fine works such as craft calligraphy and painting.
Narrow slit	The laser beam is highly focused to form tiny light spots, producing extremely high power density, which rapidly heats the material to a vaporized state, thereby forming holes. As the laser beam moves linearly relative to the material, these holes are continuously arranged to form a very narrow slit, usually between 0.10 and 0.20mm.
Smooth cutting surface	Laser cutting technology can ensure that the cutting surface is burr-free, and the surface roughness of the cutting is generally controlled below Ra12.5. This is particularly important for materials that require extremely high cut quality, such as glass and jewelry.
Fast cutting efficiency	Laser cutting is extremely fast, reaching 10m/min, and its maximum positioning speed is as high as 70m/min, far exceeding the speed of traditional wire cutting, significantly improving production efficiency.
Good cutting quality and no damage	As a non-contact cutting method, laser cutting has minimal thermal impact on the material, almost no thermal deformation of the workpiece, and completely avoids edge collapse that may occur during punching and shearing. The slit after cutting generally does not require secondary processing, and the laser cutting head will not come into contact with the material surface, thus ensuring that the workpiece will not be scratched.
Wide material adaptability	Laser cutting technology can not only process metal materials such as steel plates, stainless steel, aluminum alloy plates, and carbide, but can also cut non-metallic materials such as plastics, wood, PVC, leather, textiles, and plexiglass. In addition, laser processing has high flexibility, can process graphics of any shape, and is suitable for cutting pipes and other special-shaped materials.
High degree of automation	The working process of laser cutting equipment is completely programmed and can be matched with automated loading and unloading facilities without manual intervention in the entire process, thereby improving production efficiency and automation levels.
Environmentally friendly and low-noise	There is no need to use molds such as saw blades during the laser cutting process, so there is no loss. When processing different workpieces, there is no need to change the fixture, just adjust the cutting parameters. At the same time, since there is no physical contact when the equipment is running, the noise is very small, and the residue generated by cutting is dust particles, which is easy to clean and causes less pollution to the environment.

How to Choose the Right Material for Laser Cutting?

There are several factors to consider when choosing the right laser cutting material. Here are some key selection factors:

1. Type of materials used
Laser cutting machines have the ability to cut many different types of materials, including but not limited to metals, non-metals, plastics, wood, glass and ceramics. This article mainly discusses and analyzes the problems and countermeasures existing in the application of laser cutting machines. In the process of selecting materials, the first task is to confirm that these materials are the types that the laser cutting machine can handle.

2. Thickness of materials used

Different types of laser cutting machines have their own specific material thickness requirements. For some special parts or workpieces, the machining accuracy is very high, so higher requirements are put forward for material thickness control. In order to ensure the quality and efficiency of cutting, we need to choose the appropriate material thickness. Normally, the thickness of laser cutting materials is determined by the output power of the laser. Typically, the higher the power of a laser, the greater the thickness of material it can cut. Therefore, in the process of selecting materials, the most suitable material thickness should be determined based on the power requirements and cutting standards of the laser cutting machine.

3. Treat the surface of the material

Some materials require specific surface treatment, such as coating or coating, which can increase the absorption efficiency of the laser and optimize the cutting quality. For example, when processing certain metal materials, by applying specific coatings, their ability to absorb laser light can be effectively enhanced, thereby further improving the cutting effect.

4. Regarding the thermal expansion coefficient of materials

The thermal expansion characteristics of materials will affect the quality and accuracy of cutting. In order to reduce thermal deformation and errors during cutting, we should choose materials with relatively low thermal expansion coefficients.

5. Chemical properties of materials
Certain chemicals may affect laser cutting results, such as producing smoke or corrosive gases. Chemically stable materials need to be selected to ensure the smoothness of the cutting process and the quality of the material after cutting.

6. Cutting requirements
Different cutting requirements also affect material selection. For example, for parts that require high-precision cutting, you may need to choose a laser cutting machine and corresponding materials with higher cutting accuracy and stability. At the same time, for materials that require special cutting shapes or sizes, the cutting capabilities and flexibility of the laser cutting machine also need to be considered.

7. Cost considerations
There is also a cost factor to consider whenchoosing materials for laser cutting. The cost of different materials varies greatly, and the appropriate material needs to be selected based on budget and cutting requirements. At the same time, the operating costs and maintenance costs of the laser cutting machine also need to be considered to ensure that the overall cost-effectiveness is maximized.

FAQs

1.What materials are needed to make a laser?

The materials needed to build a laser vary depending on the type and purpose of the laser, but generally include the following key materials:
Working substance: This is the core part of the laser. It can be solid (such as ruby, neodymium glass, etc.), liquid (such as certain organic dye solutions) or gas (such as carbon dioxide, helium-neon, etc.). Excitation source: used to provide energy to excite the working material to produce laser. Optical resonator: It consists of two mirrors and is used to reflect the light emitted by the working material back into the working material to enhance the intensity of the light and generate a laser beam. Power supply and other electronic components: used to control the operation of the laser, including adjusting the energy of the excitation source, controlling the reflectivity of the optical resonant cavity, etc. In addition, manufacturing lasers also requires some auxiliary materials, such as lenses, filters, diaphragms, etc., to adjust the direction, intensity and shape of the laser beam.

2,What equipment is used for laser cutting?

The main equipment used in laser cutting is the laser cutting machine. Laser cutting machine is a high-tech cutting equipment that uses high-energy laser beam to cut materials accurately and quickly. Laser cutting machines usually include key parts such as laser generator, cutting head, machine tool table, and control system. In addition, laser cutting machines may also be equipped with auxiliary equipment such as cooling systems, dust suction and smoke exhaust systems to ensure the stability and safety of the cutting process.

3.Why are lasers used for cutting materials?

The reason for using laser cutting materials is mainly based on the multiple advantages of laser cutting technology. The advantages of laser cutting mainly include high precision, narrow slit, smooth cutting surface, fast cutting efficiency, good cutting quality without damage, wide material adaptability, high Automation, environmental protection, low noise, etc. These advantages make laser cutting the preferred cutting method in many industrial production and manufacturing fields.

4.What materials are best for laser engraving?

Laser engravingis suitable for a variety of materials, but different materials have different characteristics such as laser absorption rate, thermal expansion coefficient, and chemical properties, so the most suitable materials for laser engraving will also be different. Common materials suitable for laser engraving include wood, acrylic (plexiglass), ceramics, paper, leather, cloth and other materials. Appropriate materials and process parameters need to be selected according to specific application scenarios and cutting requirements.

Summary

Laser cutting technology has a wide range of material applicabilityand can efficiently cut a variety of metal and non-metal materials, as well as composite materials and special materials. In practical applications, appropriate laser cutting parameters and equipment need to be selected according to specific materials and processing requirements to ensure the best cutting effect. With the continuous development and advancement of technology, the application scope of laser cutting will continue to expand and optimize, providing more efficient, precise and flexible processing solutions for various manufacturing and processing industries.

Disclaimer

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LS Team

This article was written by multiple LS contributors. LS is a leading resource in the manufacturing sector, withCNC machining,sheet metal fabrication,3D printing,injection molding,metal stamping, and more.