Materials guide
Laser cutting, engraving and marking of elastomers
An elastomer can deform and then return to its original shape, but this property alone is not enough to determine its compatibility with a laser. For rubber or silicone, the exact reference must be identified, the expected result defined and the risks checked before any test. Cutting, engraving and marking have different objectives: their feasibility must be assessed separately.
Identify the material before choosing the process
A designation such as “rubber” or “silicone” is not sufficient material documentation. Ask the supplier for the commercial reference, technical data sheet and safety data sheet, where available. Have them specify fillers, pigments, surface treatments and any adhesive layers or attached parts. If the documents do not allow the decomposition products to be assessed, request additional information before starting a test.
When preparing your inquiry to NWS Laser, exclude unknown materials, PVC and formulations containing halogens from any improvised testing. Thermal degradation of PVC can produce acidic compounds, as noted by INRS. Also have the composition of flame-retardant materials and the risks associated with their additives checked. A material excluded by the equipment manufacturer must not be tested.
Cutting: validate the contour and function of the part
Cutting aims to separate a shape along a contour. Its feasibility cannot be inferred from the designation “rubber” or “silicone” alone: the material reference and the equipment being considered must be assessed together. To prepare this qualification with NWS LASER, specify the function of the part and the acceptance criteria.
To evaluate CO2 cutting, provide the thickness, drawing, tolerances and end use. Plan to check dimensions, edge condition and residue on a representative sample. For a part intended to provide a seal or undergo deformation, also define the functional checks required after processing. A visually satisfactory contour does not replace this validation.
Engraving and marking: two criteria for success
Engraving aims to create relief by removing material; marking aims to produce a legible inscription, which does not necessarily mean that no material is removed. If your project involves a rubber stamp, the test must check the resulting pattern and the quality of the impression, not just the appearance of the engraved surface.
For text or a traceability code, define readability and the stresses the inscription must withstand. The fact that a material is silicone alone does not establish that a fiber laser will produce a mark without altering the surface. Choosing between CO2 and another source requires validation on the actual formulation and the equipment being considered. No settings recipe can be applied to all elastomers.
Plan for fumes and fire risk
Laser processing can produce hazardous fumes, particles and gases. DGUV notes that particle filters do not capture plastic decomposition gases. For your project, have extraction and emissions treatment assessed according to the material and process. Provide a suitable system that is correctly installed, maintained and operational: just any extractor does not constitute safety validation.
Laser processing can ignite combustible materials and residues. Do not leave a test unattended; plan for residue management and workshop fire procedures. INRS recommends a risk assessment based on the manufacturer's documentation, containment of radiation where possible, and operator training. Keep the safeguards and interlocks in place; no test justifies disabling them.
prepare your inquiry to NWS Laser
Rassemblez la référence matière, les documents disponibles, un échantillon représentatif, le plan et les critères d’acceptation. Précisez si vous souhaitez découper, graver ou marquer, ainsi que les quantités et contraintes d’intégration. Les essais viennent après la vérification documentaire et doivent porter sur un équipement adapté. Pour présenter votre application à NWS Laser : utilisez la page contact, écrivez à info@nwslaser.fr ou appelez le +33 4 81 68 04 04.
Frequently asked questions
- Can all elastomers be laser processed?
- No. The material family alone is not enough: its composition, the manufacturer's exclusions and the processing conditions must be checked before testing a sample. To prepare qualification with NWS LASER, provide the exact reference and material documentation; this does not constitute authorization to process the material.
- Which laser should you choose for silicone?
- There is no universal choice. Provide NWS LASER with the formulation or exact reference and the expected result to prepare the study; the source and surface condition will need to be validated on the equipment being considered.
- Is fume extraction sufficient to authorize a test?
- No. First identify the material and check the manufacturer's restrictions; unknown materials, PVC and halogenated formulations must not be tested on an improvised basis. Extraction, chemical risks, fire and laser safeguards are all part of the process assessment. A particle filter does not capture gases.
Sources and documentation
NWS LASER
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