Banned Laser Cutting and Engraving Material

* Jumping on Soapbox *

One of the first things we need to know before even using any laser is what material you can or shouldn’t engrave or cut.  When you receive your Glowforge or any other laser cutting machine, the temptation of “playing with your new toy” is so tempting. 

This is NOT A TOY. 

Anyone wants to play without reading the manual and understanding the hazards are at risk for self injury, injury of others and danger of a fire

* Jumps off the Soapbox *

I apologize, this is in response after reading the community forums on both Etsy and Glowforge citing how excited they are about their machine or rejecting it because of how dangerous they feel it is.  My fear is people not reading the manual and cut material that will seriously harm them, children or even burn down their homes.  I don’t want to project my paranoia to you, but I rather make us novices stop and think.  As devil’s advocate, if you follow precautions, a laser machine will be very safe as long as you keep an eye on it while it’s running

On to the subject of this post:

I thought I could do is cut my decal designs and replace my BossKut machine if I figured out not cut past the liner.  The decals will be much more precise and could sell much more complicated designs.  Unfortunately, it’s not going to happen.  I read on the forums a big warning from more experienced users not to cut PVC.  PVC will emit chlorine gas which will damage your lungs and corrode the machine.  

So since vinyl cannot be put into a laser machine, I wanted to know what else couldn’t.  Below is a list summarized after finding these repeated among many different laser services and manufacturers as extremely hazardous to humans and the machine

Material	Health & Danger Issues	Material & Machine Issues	Examples
PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) Vinyl Pleather Artificial leather	Emits pure chlorine gas	Ruins optics Corrodes metal damages motion control system	It’s the most widely used plastic.  Good list of examples on Mommy’s Footprint Blog
Polycarbonate / Lexan	Catches fire	Absorbs infrared radiation Cuts Poorly Discolors	Water Bottles Greenhouses CD, DVD, Blue Ray Safety Googles
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)	Emits cyanide gas Melts	Cuts poorly Melts doesn't vaporize Melted material deposit will burn inside the machine	Lego Some 3D Printing Filaments Toy instruments Pipes
HDPE (High-density polyethylene)	Catches fire melts	Melts doesn't vaporize Melted material deposit will burn inside the machine	Milk bottles Water Jugs Household cleaner bottles margarine tubs
Polystyrene Foam	Catches fire melts	Melts doesn't vaporize Melted material deposit will burn inside the machine	Foam packaging, Styofoam takeout containers and cups craft pompoms reusable bags
Polypropylene Foam	Catches fire melts	Melts doesn't vaporize Melted material deposit will burn inside the machine	construction insulation
Fiberglass	Emits fumes	Glass cannot be cut Epoxy emits the fumes	pools boats car parts insulation
Carbon Fiber	Emits noxious fumes	Carbon fiber cuts poorly	car parts pools bathtubs