Engraving materials besides wood

[Rjsensing (Robert Sensing)]

Can any other materials besides wood be engraved by an emblaser 2 laser? Such as metal?

[Rick (Technical Evangelist)]

Engraving into metal with a relatively low-powered laser (diode) is not possible, but might have some success with marking using Cermark or similar product. Cermark is kind of the industry standard, though it’s pricey. Dry Moly lube works well (though not quite as dark) and is significantly cheaper.

There are a few other products and techniques you will find that could work for your setup if googled.

@LightBurn

For materials, Google is your friend - there are lots of online guides that will tell you what is safe, what is “mostly safe”, which materials don’t work well, and which ones to avoid completely.

In the never list, most prominent are PVC and vinyl, because they contain chloride compounds which turn into toxic and corrosive gas when burned. They’ll corrode the metal parts of your machine, kill you, and it’ll hurt the whole time you’re dying. (some people do cut these things, using very high performance exhaust systems and scrubbers)

Acrylic cuts well and is used often, but the fumes are bad for you, so make sure you’re venting outside.

Natural materials like natural woods, slate, leather, and felt work very well. Be aware that leather and felt smell to high heaven when burned (think burning fingernails and hair respectively), but they aren’t harmful.

HDPE melts and gets all over everything, polycarbonate resists lasing and mostly chars and blackens, and polystyrene has a tendency to melt and catch fire.

[fred_dot_u (fred ungewitter)]

Grey Poupon mustard will also mark stainless steel when using a diode laser!

[smutboy420 (John James)]

I’ve also seen people get some ok results with cheapo no name brand yellow mustard on stainless even with co2 lasers… It seems to apply better then gray poupon because of its consistency.