mirrored acrylic

[graham jimmison]

just wondering do you need a special mirrored acrylic for cutting in a laser cutter?
Logic tells me it will reflect the laser beam if reflective side up

tried cutting some with reflective side down but it damages the reflective material and doesn't look good

Any advice

[Spooky]

Hiya Graham,

Mirrors are incapable or reflecting light in the spectrum that a CO2 laser produces Mirrors by their nature reflect photons of certain wavelengths (visible light) when it comes to laser radiation mirrors react in a much different way.coupled with this the beam divergance upon striking the reflective surface is such that it scatters quickly.

Any kind of mirrored perspex / acrylic is fine to cut from the reflective side.

hope that helps

best wishes

Dave

[graham jimmison]

very scientific! - must admit wasn't the answer i was expecting! Thanks though much appreciated- will now go cut some mirror!

[Spooky]

I better clarify Graham,

Acrylic mirror doesn't reflect laser radiation, Miniscus glass mirror DOES!

I just suddenly had this vision of you trying to engrave or cut glass mirror

In short acrylic / perspex mirror = fine

Glass Mirror = Bad

best wishes

Dave