Materials
Laser material compatibility guide
Material name alone is not enough. Colour, additives, coating, thickness and the required result can change the answer.
Evidence key:
Sourced fact linked evidence;
Research-only analysis our interpretation;
Method or boundary how to use the information.
Source links checked: 14 September 2026.
Hard gate Do not process an unknown material. Obtain reliable composition and safety information first. A material being physically markable does not establish that processing it is safe.
Orientation matrix
Research-only analysis This matrix routes questions for further investigation. It does not verify any machine, setting, material formulation or finished result.
On a narrow screen, scroll the table horizontally to read every column.
| Material or task | Technology usually investigated first | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Wood and plywood | Diode or CO₂ | Species, glue, thickness, moisture and edge-quality expectations matter. |
| Clear acrylic cutting | CO₂ | Visible blue diode energy generally passes through clear acrylic rather than being absorbed effectively. |
| Dark or opaque acrylic | Diode may work; CO₂ is broader | Colour and formulation change absorption and finish. |
| Bare metal marking or engraving | Fibre/MOPA or suitable infrared source | Depth, colour and throughput requirements affect source and lens choice. |
| Coated or anodised metal | Diode, CO₂ or fibre depending on coating and result | The laser may remove or alter a coating rather than engrave the base metal. |
| Glass surface work | CO₂ or UV depending on task | Thermal shock, coating methods and subsurface work are different processes. |
| Leather | Diode or CO₂ | Verify whether it is natural leather or a synthetic containing unsuitable chemistry. |
| Heat-sensitive plastics and fine electronics marking | UV may be investigated | Exact polymer chemistry and fume controls remain critical. |
Sourced fact HSE states that hazardous substances can include dusts, fumes and vapours and that employers must assess and control exposure under COSHH. See HSE: What is a hazardous substance?
What this table is, and is not
It is an editorial routing tool based on established laser/material interactions and safety principles. It is not a settings database, safety approval or promise that a particular machine will achieve a commercial-quality result.
Research-only analysis Future material records should separate composition, process, desired result and evidence. “Works with acrylic” is too broad to be a reliable machine claim.