Which materials are best suited for laser cutting?

Laser cutting is a flexible method that works on a wide range of metals, but not all materials behave the same in the process. The choice of material affects the quality of the cut, the speed and the amount of finishing work required. 

At Linde Maskiner, we work daily with laser cutting in several different materials and thicknesses. This means that we can clearly see which materials work best and where adjustments may be required in the process. 

Steel - one of the most common choices

Steel is often the most cost-effective material to laser cut and is used in many types of components. 

Hot and cold rolled sheet works well in laser cutting and provides stable cuts. The material is also relatively forgiving, so it works well even when parts vary in shape or size. 

In many projects where there is no requirement for corrosion protection, steel is a reasonable first choice. 

Stainless steel - when there are demands on the material 

Stainless steel is used when the material needs to withstand moisture, chemicals or other environments where ordinary steel is not sufficient. 

Laser cutting stainless steel can be done well and clean cuts can be achieved, but it requires more control in the process. Small changes in settings can affect the result more than when cutting ordinary steel. 

Aluminium - lightweight material with different properties

Aluminium is often used when weight needs to be kept down. 

Aluminium can be laser cut, but the material conducts heat quickly. This means that the cut can be affected if the speed and power are not set correctly. Compared to steel, aluminium requires more frequent fine-tuning in the process. 

Copper and brass - more sensitive in laser cutting

Copper and brass are materials that are more difficult to work with in laser cutting. 

They reflect the laser beam more than other metals, making the process more sensitive. This requires the right type of machine and that the settings are adapted to the material. 

It is possible to get good results, but it is not as straightforward as with steel, for example. 

Material thickness matters more than you think

In addition to the choice of material, thickness also plays a major role. 

At Linde Maskiner, we laser cut, among other things: 

• Hot and cold rolled sheets up to 25 mm 

• Stainless steel sheet up to 30 mm 

• Aluminium up to 20 mm 

• Brass up to 15 mm 

• Copper up to 12 mm 

The thicker the sheet to be cut, the more power and settings are required in the machine. This affects how quickly the parts can be produced and how the cut is made. 

The right materials from the start save time later

The choice of material affects the entire chain within sheet metal working, not just the cutting itself. 

The wrong material can mean more rework, a poorer fit or the detail not working as intended in the final product. Therefore, it is often better to make the right decision early than to try to adjust afterwards. 

Do you need help with laser cutting?

At Linde Maskiner, we work with laser cutting in several different materials and help customers every day to produce parts that work in practice. 

Whether for small series or larger volumes, we work with laser cutting in several different materials and customise production according to drawings and requirements. Contact us and we will help you further.