The Laser Compatibility Guide

Are you wondering which laser is best suited to mark, engrave, or cut your material?

At Lotus Laser, we’ve created this handy compatibility guide to help you understand what our UV, CO2, and Fibre lasers can do.

Our materials specialists have ran hundreds of thousands of tests over the last 30 years, so this guide is quite robust.

There are many caveats though, from material purity to laser power and waveform, so please get in touch if unsure. However, whether you’re working with metals, plastics, or organic materials, this guide provides the basic compatibility details you need to find the correct laser solution for the job.

THE LINE UP

Meet the Lasers

UV Lasers: Known for their precision and with far more versatility due to cold processing, UV lasers are ideal for detailed marking or engraving on most materials, including ones that other lasers cannot, such as obscure plastics, glass, and even diamond.

Fibre Lasers: Perfect for industrial applications, fibre lasers are great for marking and engraving metals, as well as some plastics, with speed and durability. Higher quality MOPA systems with many waveforms can even achieve colour marking on some metals and are well-known for their long-life.

CO2 Lasers: With higher power, but less accuracy and longevity, CO2 lasers excel at processing organic materials, such as wood, leather, and fabric, and are often used for cutting tasks.

Which metals can you laser engrave, mark or cut?

Different metals require specific laser sources to achieve precise marking, engraving, or cutting. Selecting the right laser ensures optimal durability, contrast, and processing speed.

  • UV Lasers – While less commonly used for metals, UV lasers can create high-contrast, minimal-heat marks on coated or anodised metals. Their cold marking capabilities help preserve delicate surfaces, making them ideal for applications requiring fine detail, such as medical instruments and electronics.

  • Fibre Lasers – The go-to solution for marking and engraving metals, including stainless steel, aluminium, brass, and titanium. Their 1064nm wavelength provides deep, permanent marks with excellent contrast, making them perfect for traceability, branding, and part identification. MOPA fibre lasers offer additional control over marking depth and colour, particularly on anodised aluminium and stainless steel.

  • CO₂ Lasers – Largely unsuitable for direct marking on bare metals unless used with marking compounds. However, they are effective for engraving coated metals (such as anodised aluminium) and cutting thin sheets of softer metals like aluminium or brass, although not advised.

For industrial applications, fibre lasers remain the dominant choice for metal marking, while UV lasers excel in specialised scenarios requiring minimal heat impact.

Please note, the table below is based on what is realistic for typical Fibre, UV or CO2 system, and does not account for large, high power laser systems typically in the high kW range.

Marking Engraving Cutting
UV Fiber CO2 UV Fiber CO2 UV Fiber CO2
Aluminum x x x x
Anodised Alumimium x x x
Chromium x x x x x x
Metal foils up to 0.5mm x x x x
Metal foils up to 0.1mm x x x
Stainless steel x x x x x x
Metal, coated or painted x x x x
Brass x x x x x x
Copper x x x x x x
Silver x x x x x x
Gold x x x x x x
Cast Iron x x x x x x
Titanium x x x x x x

What lasers work well with different types of plastics?

Different plastics react uniquely to laser marking, engraving, and cutting, making the choice of laser source crucial for achieving optimal results.

  • UV Lasers – Ideal for high-contrast, precise marking on a wide range of plastics, including ABS, polycarbonate, and acrylic. Their short wavelength (355nm) allows for cold marking, minimising heat-affected zones and ensuring crisp, permanent marks without material degradation.

  • Fibre Lasers – Best suited for engineering plastics with additives, such as PEEK and polyamides. They produce deep, durable marks but can struggle with transparent or highly reflective plastics due to their longer wavelength (typically 1064nm).

  • CO₂ Lasers – The preferred choice for cutting organic-based plastics, such as acrylic, polycarbonate, and PET. Their 10.6µm wavelength efficiently vaporises the material, making them ideal for clean cuts and surface engraving but less effective for direct marking on engineering plastics.

Selecting the right laser depends on the plastic’s composition, required mark quality, and application needs.

Marking Engraving Cutting
UV Fiber CO2 UV Fiber CO2 UV Fiber CO2
ABS x x
PVC x x x x
Tritan x x x x x x
Black Onyx (3D Printing) x x x x x x
Silicone x x x x x x
Acrylic x x x x
Rubber x x x x
Polyamide (PA) x x x
Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) x x x x
Polycarbonate (PC) x x
Polyethylene (PE) x x x x
Polyester (PES) x x x x
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) x x
Polyimide (PI) x x x x
Polyoxymethylene (POM) x x x x
Polypropylene (PP) x x
Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) x x x x
Polystyrene (PS) x x
Polyurethane (PUR) x x x x
Foam (PVC free) x x x x

What laser works best with other common materials?

Beyond metals and plastics, laser systems are widely used for marking, engraving, and cutting a variety of other materials. Wood, leather, glass, ceramics, textiles, and composites each respond differently to laser processing. Natural materials like wood and leather engrave exceptionally well, producing rich contrast and depth. Glass and ceramics require precise control to avoid fractures, often benefiting from surface etching rather than deep engraving. Textiles can be cleanly cut with minimal fraying, while composites and specialist materials may require tailored laser parameters to achieve the best results. Selecting the right laser depends on the material’s composition, thickness, and desired outcome.

Marking Engraving Cutting
UV Fiber CO2 UV Fiber CO2 UV Fiber CO2
Diamond x x x x x x
Glass x x x x
Mirror x x x x
Carbon Fiber x x x x
Ceramics x x x x
Granite x x x x x
Marble x x x x x
Stone x x x
Hardwood x x x
Softwood x x x x
Plywood x x x x
MDF x x x x
Bamboo x x x x
Cardboard x x x
Paper x x x
Food x x
Leather x
Fabric x
Cork x x x

Important Considerations:

Laser compatibility depends on several factors, including material composition, thickness, and purity. Some materials may release toxic fumes during laser processing and require proper extraction systems for safe operation.

Need more advice? Contact our expert team at Lotus Laser for guidance on selecting the right laser for your application!