Cutting Polycarbonate multiwall

Beyond the Manual
22

I wouldn’t take much notice of the ATX guide as saying that polycarbonate strongly absorbs infrared radiation is a reason laser cutting is ineffective is nonsense. Materials that absorb the laser frequency are the ones you can cut. Anything that is transparent or reflective will not cut.

Looks like some Lexan products might have chlorine added, so wise to either check the MSDS or do the hot wire test.

I sliced through a piece of PVC insulation with a laser a few days ago. I couldn’t smell anything acrid with my nose up close so I think the amount of chlorine or HCL release must have been minute. It was a very small amount of material removed though.

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23

Thanks. Everyone on the forum has given me a lot to think about.

24

Spellcheck yelled at me about it with it’s accusatory little underline but I said “Dammit, Spellcheck I know what I mean!”

1 Like