Plastics are malleable organic materials that can be extruded to form sheets or molded to form more complex shapes. Plastics come in many varieties, from commodity plastics like acrylic and ABS, to engineered plastics like polycarbonate and acetyl. Commodity plastics are inexpensive and have a broad range of applications, while engineering plastics are developed to meet certain performance requirements like high strength or high service temperature. Nearly all plastics can be processed by laser cutting, engraving, and marking. Visit our Materials Suppliers List for plastic vendors.

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Types of Plastic

ABS Plastic

Acetals

Delrin®

POM Plastic

Acrylic

Cast Acrylic

Extruded Acrylic

Lucite®

Mirrored Acrylic

Plexiglas®

Fluoropolymers

ECTFE

Halar®

FEP

PCTFE

Kel-F®

PTFE

Teflon®

Microsurface Plastic Materials

Nylon

PEEK

PEI

Duratron®

Ultem®

PLA

Polycarbonate

Lexan®

Makrolon®

Polyesters

Dura-Lar® Film

Ertalyte®

Metalized PET

Mylar® Film

PET Film

PET-G

Polyethylenes

HDPE

LDPE

LLPE

MDPE

UHMW

Polyimides

Cirlex®

Kapton®

Kolon Colorless Polyimide (CPI™)

Polypropylene

Formex®

Statex®

Polystyrene

Polyurethane

PPO

Noryl®

Rowmark® Plastics

VCF Films

Vulcanized Fiber

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Types of Laser Processes

Lasers are playing an ever expanding role in material processing, from new product development to high volume manufacturing. For all laser processes, the energy of a laser beam interacts with a material to transform it in some way. Each transformation (or laser process) is controlled by precisely regulating the wavelength, power, duty cycle and repetition rate of the laser beam. These laser processes include the following:

Laser Annealing

Laser Cutting

Laser Drilling

Laser Engraving

Laser Etching

Laser Machining

Laser Marking

Laser Micromachining

Laser Perforating

Laser Photo Engraving

Laser Photo Marking

Laser Scoring

Laser Sintering

Laser Surface Modification

Selective Laser Ablation

All materials have unique characteristics that dictate how the laser beam interacts and consequently modifies the material. This is true whether one uses the laser system as a "laser cutter", "laser engraver", or "laser marker". The most common processes for plastics are the following:

uv Laser Cutting of Plastics

The energy of a water cooled uv laser beam is easily absorbed by most plastics, causing the material directly in the path of the laser beam to rapidly heat up and vaporize. If the laser power is sufficiently high, the laser beam will cut completely through the material. Most plastics vaporize quickly when cut with a laser, resulting in smooth and straight edges with minimal heat affected zone.

uv Laser Engraving of Plastics

The power of the water cooled uv laser beam can be limited so that it removes (engraves) material to a specified depth. The laser engraving process can be used to create intricate patterns and designs into the plastic surface.

uv Laser Marking of Plastics

Certain plastics change color or hue when exposed to a fiber laser beam. When the surface appearance changes, without any material being removed, the process is termed laser marking. Laser marking can be used to convey information such a serial number or the manufacturer’s logo.

Combined Processes

The laser cutting, engraving, and marking processes described above can be combined without having to move or re-fixture the plastic material

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