# Materials

Approved and prohibited materials for the laser cutters.

## Approved Materials for Rabbit Laser Cutters

*Scroll up and down to see the list; scroll right for additional information.*

<iframe src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vS1J8O8jIrm9hXmf_O8zePdo-o_92Z5D3DJFuSl2kGuJn6scrU19nyp6kzqr8R4nApiXknYUwpyy5vn/pubhtml?gid=536471011&single=true&widget=true&headers=false" style="width: 860px; height: 100vh;" width="850"></iframe>

## Approved Materials for Trotec Laser Cutter

*Scroll up and down to see the list; scroll right for additional information.*

<iframe src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vS1J8O8jIrm9hXmf_O8zePdo-o_92Z5D3DJFuSl2kGuJn6scrU19nyp6kzqr8R4nApiXknYUwpyy5vn/pubhtml?gid=210894933&single=true&widget=true&headers=false" style="width: 850px; height: 100vh;" width="850"></iframe>

## Prohibited Materials for All Laser Cutters

<p class="callout danger">**Unapproved material use is prohibited. Failure to comply will lead to revocation of privileges or membership.** Lasering unapproved material could lead to fire other equipment damage or hazardous fumes creating risk to human health.</p>

*Scroll up and down to see the list; scroll right for additional information.*

<iframe src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vS1J8O8jIrm9hXmf_O8zePdo-o_92Z5D3DJFuSl2kGuJn6scrU19nyp6kzqr8R4nApiXknYUwpyy5vn/pubhtml?gid=665801385&single=true&widget=true&headers=false" style="width: 850px; height: 100vh;" width="850"></iframe>

## Notes

### Know your Poly\*

There are many plastic polymers made of different materials. Some can be lasered, others can not. Make sure you think critically about the words that come after poly.

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk-polyacrylic%2C-polyest"><div class="level1">- <div class="li">Polyacrylic, Polyester, Polyethylene, Polylactic are generally the good ones. **See specifics Below**</div>
- <div class="li">Polystyrene requires vigilant observation so you don't burn down the laser.</div>
- <div class="li">Polyurethane, Polycarbonate, Polypropylene are ones are the bad ones. **See specifics Below**</div>

</div></div>### Monitor Closely

The following materials MUST BE monitored closely as they have an increased risk to cause damage to the equipment by causing fire or melting.

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk-cotton-%2F-felt-%2F-hemp"><div class="level3">- <div class="li">Cotton / Felt / Hemp / Wool (watch for fire)</div>
- <div class="li">[Polystyrene](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene#:~:text=Polystyrene%20(PS)%20%2F%CB%8Cp,clear%2C%20hard%2C%20and%20brittle. "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene#:~:text=Polystyrene%20(PS)%20%2F%CB%8Cp,clear%2C%20hard%2C%20and%20brittle.") **Fire Risk**</div>
- <div class="li">[Foamboard/foam core](https://www.goadams.com/foam-board "https://www.goadams.com/foam-board") (must not contain fire retardants; R.L. Adams is known good)​ **HIGH FIRE RISK** the entire job must be monitored closely.</div>
- <div class="li">[Coroplast brand corrugated polypropylene](https://www.coroplast.com/ "https://www.coroplast.com/") **watch for melting**; bulk polypropylene is not approved)</div>

</div></div>### Etched Only

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk-glass-ceramic-stone-"><div class="level3">- <div class="li">Glass</div>
- <div class="li">Ceramic</div>
- <div class="li">Stone (marble, slate, quartz, etc.)</div>
- <div class="li">Plaster of Paris</div>
- <div class="li">Paints and thin spray coatings, thinner than powder coating (General blanket approval, but please use common sense and don't engrave your grandfather's old High Lead Special paint he has stockpiled.</div>
- <div class="li">Metal (painted/anodized)</div>
- <div class="li">The laser must not be used over 50% power in this scenario. Reflections can damage the optics.</div>
- <div class="li">[Cermark metal marking compound](https://www.cermarkusa.com/ "https://www.cermarkusa.com/")</div>
- <div class="li">[Plasti-dip](https://plastidip.com/ "https://plastidip.com/")</div>

</div></div>## Submission of Material For Consideration

To submit a material for approval submit the request to the [\#lasers channel on Discord](https://discord.com/channels/791673872529358869/797191406048903178 "https://discord.com/channels/791673872529358869/797191406048903178"). Please provide the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

## Laser Material Spreadsheet

The source of the above tables can be found in the following Google Sheet:

[`https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RDp_Kf5wWVkaAUypppxwd_1NlgEtOxAvZAGb8n5b-Vc/edit?usp=sharing`](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RDp_Kf5wWVkaAUypppxwd_1NlgEtOxAvZAGb8n5b-Vc/edit?usp=sharing)

The Google Sheet has several pages, including:

- Notes on the spreadsheet
- Approved materials for the Rabbits, including suggested speed and power settings
- Approved materials for the Trotec, including suggested speed, power, and resolution settings
- Prohibited materials (applicable to all laser cutters)