# Materials
### Selecting a Fab Lab Material
For updated Material Options, see Fab Lab Materials List at:
{% content-ref url="/pages/-MhGe491CgJNxbHFoMPn" %}
[Fab Lab Materials](/the-fablab/job-submission/fab-lab-materials.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
#### For more information of Metal Laser Cutting materials see:
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Sheet Materials" %}
## Compatible Sheet Materials
The table below details the sheet materials that can be processed using the Metal Laser Cutter. Please acknowledge not all materials listed are stocked by the Fab Lab and the maximum cut thickness is to be a guide only. Non-stocked / Outside materials will need to be tested to determine the machines capability.
Maximum cutting area of the Kern LaserCell is 1300 x 1270, therefore sheet material must fit within these dimensions. Most of the sheet metal we stock comes in 1200 x 1200 sheet size or smaller.
| Metal | Max Thickness | CUT | ENGRAVE | Fab Lab Supplied? |
| --------------- | :-----------: | :-: | :-----: | :---------------: |
| Mild steel | 4 mm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stainless steel | 2 mm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Brass | 0.6 mm | Yes | No | Yes |
{% hint style="warning" %}
While a CO2 laser can technically cut Aluminium, this is not a service we provide as it presents a heightened risk to the optical components of the machine.
{% endhint %}
| Stone | Max Thickness | CUT | ENGRAVE | Fab Lab Supplied? |
| --------- | :-----------: | :-: | :-----: | :---------------: |
| Ceramic | - | NO | Yes | NO |
| Corian | 12.7 | Yes | Yes | NO |
| Granite | - | NO | Yes | NO |
| Glass | - | NO | Yes | NO |
| Limestone | - | NO | Yes | NO |
| Marble | - | NO | Yes | NO |
| Mirror | - | NO | Yes | NO |
| Slate | - | NO | Yes | NO |
| Plastics, Polymers & Fabrics | Max Thickness | CUT | ENGRAVE | Fab Lab Supplied? |
| ---------------------------- | :-----------: | :-: | :-----: | :---------------: |
| ABS | 25.4 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
| Acrylic | 25 mm | Yes | Yes | \*Up to 3 mm |
| Felt | | Yes | Yes | NO |
| HIPS | | Yes | Yes | \*Up to 2 mm |
| Leather | 6.4 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
| Mylar | 6.4 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
| Neoprene | | Yes | Yes | NO |
| Nylon | 12.7 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
| PETG | 25.4 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
| Polycarbonate | 9.5 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
| Polyester\* | 6.4 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
| Polypropylene | | Yes | Yes | \*Up to 0.6 mm |
| Rubber | 9.5 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
| Vinyl\* (Non PVC) | 6.4 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
| Wood Products | Max Thickness | CUT | ENGRAVE | Fab Lab Supplied? |
| ------------- | :-----------: | :-: | :-----: | :---------------: |
| Cardboard | 50.8 mm | Yes | Yes | \*Up to 3 mm |
| Paper | | Yes | Yes | \*Up to 300 GSM |
| Hardwood | 25.4 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
| MDF | 25.4 mm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Plywood | 25.4 mm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Softwood | 30.5 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
**For an in-depth guide to cutting sheet materials using the Kern LaserCell see Sheet Cutting:**
{% content-ref url="/pages/-LXzpd\_dw73sT3wAFNoS" %}
[Broken mention](broken://pages/-LXzpd_dw73sT3wAFNoS)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="Rotary Materials" %}
## Compatible Cylindrical Materials
The Kern LaserCell's rotary unit is able to hold cylindrical stock up to 750mm long by 101.6mm in diameter. Therefore any tubular material in longer than 750mm needs to be cut down to size prior to job submission and material delivery.
| Metal | Max Thickness | Max Diameter | CUT | ENGRAVE | Fab Lab Supplied? |
| -------------------- | :-----------: | :----------: | :-: | :-----: | :---------------: |
| Mild steel tube | 1.6 mm | 101.6 mm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stainless steel tube | 1.2 mm | 101.6 mm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Non-Metal | Max Thickness | Max Diameter | CUT | ENGRAVE | Fab Lab Supplied? |
| ---------------------- | :-----------: | :----------: | :-: | :-----: | :---------------: |
| Cardboard tube | 8 mm | 100 mm | Yes | Yes | No |
| Plastic pipe (non PVC) | | 100 mm | Yes | Yes | No |
| Timber Dowel | - | 100 mm | No | Yes | No |
**For and in-depth guide to cutting cylindrical materials using the Kern LaserCell see 'Rotary Cutting'**Compatible Cylindrical Materials
The Kern LaserCell's rotary unit is able to hold cylindrical stock up to 750mm long by 101.6mm in diameter. Therefore any tubular material in longer than 750mm needs to be cut down to size prior to job submission and material delivery.
| Metal | Max Thickness | Max Diameter | CUT | ENGRAVE | Fab Lab Supplied? |
| -------------------- | :-----------: | :----------: | :-: | :-----: | :---------------: |
| Mild steel tube | 1.6 mm | 101.6 mm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stainless steel tube | 1.2 mm | 101.6 mm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Non-Metal | Max Thickness | Max Diameter | CUT | ENGRAVE | Fab Lab Supplied? |
| ---------------------- | :-----------: | :----------: | :-: | :-----: | :---------------: |
| Cardboard tube | 8 mm | 100 mm | Yes | Yes | No |
| Plastic pipe (non PVC) | | 100 mm | Yes | Yes | No |
| Timber Dowel | - | 100 mm | No | Yes | No |
**For and in-depth guide to cutting cylindrical materials using the Kern LaserCell see 'Rotary Cutting'**
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="Own Materials" %}
## Own Materials
If you would like to cut a material we don’t already stock, come and see us before you buy your material. You will need to provide a **Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)** **and a sample piece of material** so we can test if the material is safe and possible to process. Please see "Alternative Materials and Safety" page for more information.
{% content-ref url="/pages/-LXzsyMqaTURc2-cLxRb" %}
[Materials and Safety](/the-fablab/software-and-hardware/working-with-alternative-materials.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
## WARNING: Common Non-Compatible Materials
While a wide range of materials are suitable for laser cutting, some must be avoided for health and safety reasons. Materials not listed on the [**approved materials list**](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTbRhDW1hNEIHO4uIILbuY55tR0qKv0sCiItr0413IPB0DWVUsbOpkocbtLlMFQoxAWjjAXtnNBN1jX/pubhtml) should be discussed with staff before purchase.
#### PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
When PVC is cut with a laser, the thermal process produces hydrochloric acid and toxic fumes. These gases can cause damage to our machines and be unsafe for our machine operators. For this reason we do not allow PVC to be processed with our laser systems.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
---
# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:
```
GET https://ms-kb.msd.unimelb.edu.au/the-fablab/metal-laser-cutting/metal-laser-cutting/materials.md?ask=
```
The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.