What materials can you laser engrave? A practical reference

There is no universal laser. Each wavelength absorbs into some materials and bounces off others. Below is what actually works in production — split by machine type, not by wishful thinking.

Fibre / MOPA (1064 nm)

• Engraves: stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium (raw and anodised), brass, copper, titanium, nickel, gold, silver, tungsten carbide.
• Marks (colour or anneal): titanium, 300-series stainless, niobium.
• Cuts: thin stainless and mild steel sheet (with the right machine — not the F2 Ultra Dual).
• Refuses: clear glass, clear acrylic, light-coloured wood (very weak absorption), paper.

CO₂ (10,600 nm)

• Cuts and engraves: wood, plywood, MDF, acrylic, leather, cork, rubber, paper, card, fabric, felt, slate, painted ceramics.
• Engraves only: glass (frosted finish), anodised aluminium (with care), powder-coated metals.
• Refuses: bare metal, PVC (releases chlorine gas — never cut), polycarbonate (chars and yellows), reflective foils.

Diode (450 nm)

• Cuts and engraves: dark woods, leather, dark acrylic, fabric, paper, painted surfaces.
• Marks: stainless and titanium (oxide colour), coated metals.
• Refuses: clear materials, light-reflective surfaces, bare aluminium, brass, copper.

UV (355 nm)

• Engraves and marks: glass (clean, minimal chipping), most plastics including clear, silicon wafers, ceramic, leather with low heat input. Fine surface marks on metals and plated finishes too, following sample testing.
• Strength: low heat input — minimal heat damage, so it works on heat-sensitive materials that fibre and CO₂ tend to scorch. It will also cut compatible thin non-metals, though marking is its main role.

Materials to never load

• PVC / vinyl: releases hydrogen chloride. Corrodes optics and is genuinely dangerous.
• ABS: melts and produces cyanide fumes.
• Polycarbonate: chars black and yellows.
• Unknown coatings: if you can't identify it, don't laser it.