Best Metals for Laser Cutting and Their Unique Properties

In the world of metal works, technologies are evolving very fast. However, there is one technology that came to stay- laser cutting. It is an efficient and effective way of precise cutting used in many industries to cut metals for different purposes. While laser cutting is very effective and can cut metals of various thicknesses and strengths, selecting the right metal is crucial to achieving the best quality, speed, and durability.

In this blog, we will discuss the metals considered best for laser cutting and why.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a versatile metal and is known to everyone. However, you should also know that while the metal is easier to work with, it has many very strong grades. Still, this metal is great for laser cutting. It is the first choice for laser cutting due to its corrosion resistance, exceptional strength, and wide use in different industries. It produces clean cuts with minimal burring, making it ideal for automotive, aerospace, and medical applications.

While thin steel plates can be efficiently cut with a metal shear machine, laser cutting is used for carving intricate designs and cutting thicker plates.

The different properties that make stainless steel the first choice for laser cutting are:

  • Malleability
  • Chrome finish that is suitable for many applications
  • Burr free cuts
  • High strength

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel differs from stainless steel because it has 2.5% carbon. It is a harder steel type used in heavy-duty construction due to its strength. Its high use in construction, machinery, and industrial applications requires the timely availability of laser-cut metal. Laser cutting is the only method that can ensure the timely availability of precisely cut carbon steel. Sheet metal cutting of carbon steel is easy with sheet metal shears and laser cutting.

The properties of carbon steel are:

  • High durability
  • Cost-effective than stainless steel
  • Versatile for different applications

Aluminum

Aluminum is a beautiful metal with a silvery finish. As the industry evolves, aluminum has become more than a metal used in kitchen and aerospace. It is also widely used in construction, electronics, and manufacturing.

Aluminum is a lightweight and soft metal, making it easier to work with. A sheet metal shear can easily cut aluminum sheets with precision. However, in large-scale production with millions of components, laser cutting offers the required accuracy and consistency.

The different properties of aluminum that make it easier for laser cutting are:

  • Highly malleable and ductile
  • Corrosion resistance
  • Lightweight
  • Excellent electrical conductivity

Titanium

Titanium is a strong metal and it has very specific uses. From firearms manufacturing to medical implants, this is a very versatile metal. Titanium is an expensive metal with a high demand. It must be understood that titanium waste is unacceptable. Thus, laser cutting is used for cutting titanium to ensure no wastage. The metal has superior strength and corrosion resistance, and it isn’t easy to work with traditional sheet metal shears. Thus, laser cutting is the most effective method for titanium cutting.

The different titanium properties are:

  • Strong yet lightweight
  • Biocompatible
  • Corrosion resistant

Brass and Copper

While stainless steel is the most discussed, brass and copper are two very different yet significant metals that are highly used in many industries. These are used for many applications, from kitchen utensils, doorknobs, and decor items to ventilations. Both metals are corrosion-resistant and soft, so they are easier to work with metal shear. However, for precision engineering, laser cutting is used.

Properties that make them suitable for laser cutting are:

  • High electrical and thermal conductivity
  • Attractive appearance
  • Suitable for precision engraving

Tungsten

Do you know that tungsten has the highest melting point among the metals? It is heat resistant, and thus, it is used in aerospace components, electrical contacts, and defense industries. The metal has a high tensile strength and is difficult to work with laser cutting, considering its high melting point. Thus, strong laser cutters are used for it, but it is crucial for precision engineering.

Properties that define tungsten are:

  • Highly dense and high tensile strength
  • Exceptional corrosion resistance
  • Very ductile

Conclusion

These are the different metals that are commonly selected to work with laser cutting. While laser cutting is considered a very precise and accurate method for metal cutting, it requires an expert who would choose the right material and laser power to achieve the best results.

If you want to cut any of the abovementioned metals, contact New Mexico Metals LLC, where we offer exceptional metal-cutting services. We have state-of-the-art machines and an expert staff, which allow us to deliver the promised results.

To learn more about our services, give us a call or visit us!