I want to engrave Polyisocyanurate Foam Boards (go board) to create an outline for the mosaic projects I do. Everything I’ve read looks like they are safe, but I have no idea and don’t want to kill myself or my machine. I also have no idea what settings to use.
As with all non Proofgrade materials, you will need to test to get your settings dialed in. Consider scoring rather than engraving, and consider creating a cut out template (stencil) of a known, safe material as a guide rather than engraving directly on the insulation board.
My opinion is different. If it is pure polyurethane, it will cut perfectly and the fumes will be sufficiently vented without concern. I wouldn’t hesitate to at least try a sample to dial in the settings, then if succesful (which I expect it would be), go ahead and use it.
This appears to me to be very similar (if not identical) to the board used for architectural model construction, and lasers have been commonplace in that world for quite some time - long before Glowforge.
No, PIR architectural modeling sheets are not safe to laser cut.
They are made of the same core Polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam as insulation blocks, and therefore release the same hazardous fumes when vaporized by a laser.
Regardless of the form factor—whether it’s a thick insulation panel or a thin modeling sheet—the fundamental chemistry of the material is unchanged. Laser cutting it will still produce:
• Highly Toxic Fumes: The process releases a chemical cocktail that includes deadly hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and carbon monoxide (CO). Breathing these fumes can be extremely dangerous.
• Corrosive Acid Gas: Like most PIR foam, modeling sheets contain chlorinated flame retardants. The laser’s heat decomposes these and creates hydrochloric acid (HCl) gas, which will corrode your laser’s expensive optics, metal rails, and electronics.
I’d absolutely conduct a copper wire flame test before using it with your Glowforge.
I want to engrave Polyisocyanurate Foam Boards (go board) to create an outline for the mosaic projects I do. Everything I’ve read looks like they are safe, but I have no idea and don’t want to kill myself or my machine. I also have no idea what settings to use.
