Polyurethane

[Shawn Raborn]

Hi All, wanting to try a new item but am a little hesitant. Has anyone laser engraved on Polyurethane? The specs say that the finished polyurethane product does not have chlorine in it. Hope someone has had success. Thanks

[Pete Cyr]

https://www.ulsinc.com/materials/3m-mic ... thane-foam

Yes- but read it so you understand, dont just take my word for it. You can also search online -lots of folks offer CO2 laser cutting polyurethane

[Tim Mellor]

What sort of Polyurethane? It varies a lot from fairly low density foams to a hard finished more conventional plastic.

It is made from two parts and either poured by gravity of under pressure into molds or blown with air for the foams in differing amounts. One of the base materials is an Iso Cyanate would be my main concern and how it may react to a Laser and in particular does it break down into a vaporized Cyanide I have used this for small R/C parts in the past generally into silicone molds always good quality canister style masks and gloves. Minimum for any testing should be open workspace with ventilation, mask and make sure your extraction system is well sealed to the outside.

This is far better than the average Wikipedia entry and worth a read https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyurethane

[Gene Uselman]

That, Tim, is quite a read? For us non chemists... I don't think I know any more now than before [got a good nap out of it tho] but like you say, be careful and best bet would be don't do it.

[Shawn Raborn]

What sort of Polyurethane? It varies a lot from fairly low density foams to a hard finished more conventional plastic.

It is made from two parts and either poured by gravity of under pressure into molds or blown with air for the foams in differing amounts. One of the base materials is an Iso Cyanate would be my main concern and how it may react to a Laser and in particular does it break down into a vaporized Cyanide I have used this for small R/C parts in the past generally into silicone molds always good quality canister style masks and gloves. Minimum for any testing should be open workspace with ventilation, mask and make sure your extraction system is well sealed to the outside.

This is far better than the average Wikipedia entry and worth a read https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyurethane

Thanks Tim, what i have looks more like a silicone polyurethane not a foam.

[Tim Mellor]

So likely similar to the 3M link Pete put above so it should engrave well. The issue will be is it won't likely be 3M so Mask up and have plenty of cross ventilation.

In the modern era of cheap Asian sourced materials in some cases with extras sometimes thrown into the mix (Baby Milk Powder with added Melamine among many others ) without telling the purchaser or then the customer. As we are effectively burning, melting or otherwise vaporizing the base material it is us or those around us that will be most affected and you as far as I know only have one existence that matters.