Can you laser engrave wood with polyurethane?
Yes, Polyurethane can be both laser cut and engraved.
Some forms of synthetic leather are made using polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, or other plastics that create hazardous gases when laser cut (see potentially hazardous materials section) and SHOULD BE AVOIDED.
| Material: | Danger: |
|---|---|
| PVC (Poly VinylChloride) /vinyl/pleather/artificial leather | Emits pure chlorine gas when cut! |
| ABS | Emits cyanide gas and tends to melt |
| Thick ( >1mm ) Polycarbonate/Lexan | Cut very poorly, discolor,catch fire |
| HDPE/milk bottle plastic | Catches fire and melts |
- To seal the wood surface, apply varnish (I used "Stays Clear" from Benjamin Moore) and let it dry. ...
- Laser engrave! ...
- Apply the same varnish in the gutter. ...
- Fill the engraving with paint! ...
- Carefully peel the masking tape. ...
- Some bleeding is ok! ...
- This is how it turned out!
Pre stain, paint, and finishing tips and info for laser engraving - YouTube
Polyurethane PUR (C3H8N2O)
So, can you laser cut Polyurethane? Yes, Polyurethane can be both laser cut and engraved. It cuts very cleanly and engraves to a darker colour. It is usually laser cut in it's foam format.
Is polyurethane foam safe to use in laser cutting? Yes, PUR is very suitable for laser processing and can be cut easily.
Tips & Clips - Is it safe to engrave or cut pre-painted wood with your laser ?
Glass (etch, no cut) and epoxy resin (fumes) Coated Carbon Fiber Emits noxious fumes A mix of two materials. Thin carbon fiber mat can be cut, with some fraying - but not when coated. The laser can cut or etch.
Polypropylene Overview
Polypropylene does not readily absorb the energy of the 1.06 micron fiber laser. Cutting of polypropylene can be performed with a CO2 laser to produce a clean non-discolored cut with a slight raised edge near the point of ablation.
Should you stain wood before laser engraving?
If you want to get a quality, professional wood engraving, you need make the proper preparations. Take a look at your wood to be sure that it is sanded and smooth. Make sure that you stain and clear coat your wood before engraving.
Laser Hack: Sanding Wood After Laser Engraving - YouTube
How to... Wood engraving with BAKING SODA?? - YouTube
Paper, card stock thin Cuts very well on the laser cutter, and also very quickly. Cardboard, carton thicker Cuts well but may catch fire. Watch for fire. Cork 1/4" Cuts nicely, but the quality of the cut depends on the thickness and quality of the cork.
Clean up Engraved Wood - YouTube
Our acrylic paints are designed for fill reverse engraved areas on signs or applications. Specially designed to use on laser engraved plastics our acrylic filler paints will not affect nor “craze” the lasered area.
Polyethylene Overview
Polyethylene does not readily absorb the energy of a 1.06 micron fiber laser. Cutting of polyethylene can be performed with a CO2 laser to produce a clean non-discolored cut with a slight raised edge near the point of ablation.
You CANNOT cut through the spongy polyurethane foams used for upholstery. It beads off on the hot wire and gives off toxic vapors. Always check with the manufacturer of the foam you wish to cut if you're unsure if it's safe to cut with heat.
Polyurethane is a polymer joined by urethane links. These links are formed by reacting a di- or poly-isocyanate with a polyol. Polyurethane is unique in that it is not manufactured like many other plastics. Most polymers, such as polyethylene, are produced in the form of a powder and then molded into a desired form.
Which Foams Are Safe To Laser Cut? The three foams that are considered safe to cut are Polyethylene (PE) Foam, Polyurethane (PUR) foam and Polyester (PES) Foam. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam can also be laser cut, but requires extreme caution due to it's flammability and the fact that it does not self-extinguish.
