What materials can a CO2 laser cut that a fiber laser cannot?

CO₂ lasers cut all organic and many non-metallic materials: wood, MDF, plywood, acrylic (PMMA), polycarbonate (vaporizes — use caution), ABS, Delrin, leather, fabric, felt, paper, cardboard, rubber, foam, and cork. They also engrave glass, ceramic, and stone. Fiber lasers at 1.06μm cannot process these materials because they are transparent or poorly absorbing at that wavelength.

Can a CO2 laser cut metal?

Yes, CO₂ lasers cut metal, but more slowly than fiber lasers. A 4kW CO₂ cuts 3mm mild steel at approximately 5-7 m/min vs 12-18 m/min for a 3kW fiber laser. CO₂ lasers cannot cut highly reflective metals (copper, brass, aluminum) reliably due to back-reflection risks. For metal-only shops, fiber lasers are the superior choice.

What industries primarily use CO2 lasers?

Industries relying heavily on CO₂ lasers include: signage and display (acrylic cutting/engraving), textile and fashion (fabric/leather cutting), packaging (die-cutting cardboard/paper), woodworking and furniture (MDF/plywood cutting), architectural model-making, craft and personalization (engraving), and medical device manufacturing (cutting polymer components).

CO₂ Laser Applications: Where 10.6μm Wavelength Excels

⚡ Key Takeaway

CO₂ lasers are irreplaceable for non-metallic materials. Wood, acrylic, fabric, leather, paper, and glass all absorb 10.6μm wavelength efficiently but are transparent to fiber laser wavelength. If your production includes non-metals, CO₂ is essential equipment.

While fiber lasers dominate metal cutting, CO₂ lasers remain the workhorse for non-metallic material processing. This guide covers every major CO₂ application along with recommended parameters and industry-specific considerations. For a balanced technology comparison, see our CO₂ vs Fiber Laser Comparison.

Published: February 11, 2026

Last Updated: February 11, 2026

Skill Level: All Levels

1. CO₂ Laser Material Compatibility

Material	Cutting	Engraving	Typical Power	Edge Quality
Acrylic (PMMA)	✅ Excellent	✅ Excellent	40-150W	Flame-polished, optically clear
Wood / Plywood	✅ Excellent	✅ Excellent	30-100W	Charred edge, may need sanding
MDF	✅ Excellent	✅ Good	40-130W	Clean, sealed dark edge
Fabric / Textile	✅ Excellent	⚠️ Limited	30-80W	Sealed edge prevents fraying
Leather	✅ Excellent	✅ Excellent	30-80W	Clean, sealed — no stitching needed
Paper / Cardboard	✅ Excellent	⚠️ Possible	20-60W	No mechanical distortion
Rubber / Silicone	✅ Good	✅ Good	40-100W	Good with proper extraction
Glass	❌ No	✅ Excellent	20-60W	Frosted surface engraving
Ceramic / Stone	❌ No	✅ Good	30-80W	Surface marking only

2. Industry-Specific Applications

Signage & Display

CO₂ lasers produce flame-polished acrylic edges that are optically clear without post-processing. This makes them ideal for illuminated signage, point-of-sale displays, and architectural features.

Key parameter: Cast acrylic cuts better than extruded. Use air assist at low pressure (0.5-1 bar) for clearest edges.

Textile & Fashion

Laser cutting seals fabric edges, preventing fraying without mechanical stress. This enables intricate patterns impossible with die-cutting. Used for custom sportswear, automotive interiors, and technical textiles.

Key parameter: Use vacuum table or honeycomb bed. High speed + low power minimizes heat-affected zone on synthetics.

Packaging & Die-Cutting

Digital die-cutting with CO₂ eliminates physical dies ($500-2,000 each). This enables short-run packaging, rapid prototyping, and personalized packaging at mass-production speeds.

Key parameter: Galvo-head CO₂ systems achieve 2,000+ mm/s for paper and light cardboard cutting.

Woodworking & Architecture

Precision cutting of MDF, plywood, and veneer for architectural models, decorative panels, furniture components, and acoustic panels. CO₂ handles complex 2D profiles that would be impossible or impractical with CNC routing.

Key parameter: Use air assist to minimize charring. Multiple passes at lower power produce cleaner edges than single high-power pass.

3. CO₂ vs Fiber: Quick Decision Guide

The "CO₂ or Fiber?" question has a simple answer based on your material mix:

100% Metal

→ Fiber Laser

No question. Fiber is faster, cheaper, and better quality.

Mixed (Metal + Non-Metal)

→ Both

Fiber for metal, CO₂ for non-metal. Two machines.

100% Non-Metal

→ CO₂ Laser

The only technology that works for organic materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials can CO₂ cut that fiber cannot?

All organic and most non-metallic materials: wood, MDF, acrylic, fabric, leather, paper, cardboard, rubber, foam, and cork. CO₂ also engraves glass, ceramic, and stone. These materials are transparent to fiber laser wavelength and cannot be processed with fiber technology.

Can CO₂ lasers cut metal?

Yes, but 40-300% slower than fiber lasers. CO₂ is adequate for metal if volume is low and you also need non-metal capability. For dedicated metal shops, see our Fiber Laser Advantages guide.

What industries use CO₂ lasers most?

Signage (acrylic), textile/fashion (fabric/leather), packaging (die-cutting), woodworking (MDF/plywood), craft/personalization (engraving), and medical devices (polymer cutting).

Related Guides

CO₂ vs Fiber Comparison

Balanced technology comparison

Fiber Laser Advantages

Why fiber dominates metal cutting

Operating Cost Comparison

CO₂ vs Fiber total cost of ownership

Cutting parameters are representative values for mid-range industrial CO₂ lasers (80-150W sealed tube). High-power RF-excited CO₂ lasers (500W+) are used for industrial-scale processing at significantly higher speeds. Always perform test cuts on sample material before production runs.