What the laser will not cut
A CO₂ laser cuts some materials without any technical difficulty. They still do not go in — because of what is produced in the process.
Reviewed on 31 August 2026
A CO₂ laser cuts by vaporising material. What is produced in the process depends on what the material consists of — and with some plastics those are substances that belong neither in the workshop nor in the machine.
There is therefore a fixed exclusion list. It is not a question of convenience or effort: with these materials the result is not worse but harmful to health or to the machine.
The exclusion list
| Material | Why not |
|---|---|
| PVC (polyvinyl chloride), including rigid PVC and PVC film | Vaporising produces hydrogen chloride and from it hydrochloric acid — toxic to people, corrosive to the optics and mechanics of the machine. |
| PTFE (Teflon) | Releases fluorine compounds when heated, which are harmful to health. |
| Polycarbonate (PC, Makrolon) | Burns rather than cuts: dark, charred edges and heavy smoke. Technically possible, but with no usable result. |
| Composite panels with an aluminium facing | Metal reflects the beam and cannot be separated with this type of laser. |
| HPL and other multi-layer laminates | The layers react differently; result and emissions are not controllable. |
| Anything of unknown composition | Without knowing what is in it, there is no way to judge what comes out. |
The most common mix-ups
Not every clear plastic sheet is acrylic. Polycarbonate looks practically identical but behaves completely differently in the laser — it burns to a brown, charred edge. If you have a sheet from an unknown source, the protective film or the data sheet will help.
Similarly with films: “clear film” can be PET or PVC. On craft films and packaging material the composition is rarely stated — when in doubt it does not go into the machine.
It is also worth looking closely at textiles and leather: imitation leather is frequently PVC-coated. Real leather cuts well, PVC imitation leather does not.
What works instead
For most applications there is an unproblematic alternative. Instead of polycarbonate: acrylic, if it need not be impact-resistant. Instead of PVC film: PET-G or Mylar. Instead of imitation leather: real leather or felt.
If you are unsure whether your material is suitable, ask beforehand. That costs an email and at best saves a rejected order — at worst, machine damage.
Frequently asked questions
- Why must PVC not be laser cut?
- Vaporising produces hydrogen chloride, which forms hydrochloric acid with atmospheric moisture. That is toxic to the people in the workshop and permanently corrodes the optics and mechanics of the machine.
- Can polycarbonate be laser cut?
- Technically yes, sensibly no. Polycarbonate burns instead of cutting cleanly — the edge turns dark and charred. For clear sheets, acrylic is the right choice.
- What about imitation leather?
- Imitation leather is frequently PVC-coated and therefore excluded. Real leather, by contrast, cuts and engraves well.
- How do I know whether my material is suitable?
- From the data sheet or the marking. Clear sheets of unknown origin are the most common doubtful case, because acrylic and polycarbonate look alike. When in doubt, ask first.
Sources
- Our own workshop documentation “Materials that cannot be laser-processed”
- Safety data sheets of the plastics concerned