How to choose the laser cutting film?

Natural rubber is the best material for laser cutting film, followed by oil rubbed.

Natural rubber is an adhesive laser-cutting protective film with a high cost and stable performance, but it is also related to debugging and using a laser cutting machine.

Overall, the big brands of square rubber-based laser cutting film sell for more than $1.5/Square, and national brands sell between $0.5 and $0.7/Square. The laser cutting film below $0.5 has a low adaptability rate.

There are more aspects to consider when choosing the laser cutting film :

The cutting technology: fiber laser source or CO2 laser

A fiber laser's wavelength is ten times shorter than that of a CO2 laser and is not absorbed by the plastic. Thus, using a film designed for CO2 laser would create a very uneven cut if used with a fiber laser source. Films specifically for fiber laser cutting have built-in absorbers.

The material: stainless steel, aluminum, pre-lacquered,  etc.

• Stainless steel/Aluminum: These materials, like aluminum and copper, conduct heat well. This can cause the heat from cutting to spread and melt the film. Therefore, the sheet protection for these materials must be adapted with a higher level of thermal resistance than a film for stainless steel, for example.
• Pre-lacquered Steel: Laser cutting pre-lacquered steel can be tricky. Regular lacquer doesn't absorb the laser well, leading to problems. Even with memorable films available, the lacquer itself needs modifications like specific additives for successful cutting.
• Double-sided: Double-sided protection can cause a small amount of burring during cutting because the film on the table side retains the material. Thin films are recommended to minimize or prevent quality issues.

Thickness of the sheet metal used

Choose a film designed explicitly for its cutting gas pressure to avoid bubbling on thicker sheet metal. Films for thin metal have lower adhesion and aren't suitable for thicker materials.

Surface finish matters! The protective film's adhesion depends on the material's finish, such as brushed, glossy, or scotch-brite. Choose a laser cutting film designed for your material's finish to ensure optimal adhesion.