index / materials / polycarbonate
Polycarbonate (Lexan)
also: PC sheet, Makrolon
Polycarbonate is the clear plastic that looks like acrylic and does not act like it. Makers split on whether thin sheet is usable; none recommends thick sheet.
Board
YES x2 two or more makers say yesNO x2 two or more say noMAKERS SPLIT makers contradict each other1 SOURCE one maker page only, not confirmedNO STATEMENT nothing publishedIF = yes only under a stated condition
| Laser type | Engrave or mark | Cut |
|---|---|---|
| Diode (blue, about 450 to 455 nm) | NO STATEMENT | NO STATEMENT |
| CO2 (10,600 nm) | 1 SOURCE: NO | NO x1 +2 IF |
| Fiber (1064 nm) | NO STATEMENT | NO STATEMENT |
Run polycarbonate through the matcher to add a cut thickness.
What each maker says
CO2, engrave or mark 1 SOURCE: NO
polycarbonate ... discolors, yellows, and burns rather than marking cleanly, so test carefully or avoid it.
Boss Laser, Materials and safety FAQ, read Nov 5, 2026
CO2, cut NO x1 +2 IF
Thin sheets of polycarbonate can be cut with our CO2 laser systems, but the material tends to discolor when heated by the laser beam.
Epilog Laser, What materials are unsafe to engrave and/or cut, read Nov 5, 2026Thin polycarbonate can be cut but its color often changes badly.
xTool, Support article 363, safety guide, read Nov 5, 2026Thick ( >1mm ) Polycarbonate/Lexan. Cuts very poorly, discolors, catches fire
Full Spectrum Laser (FSL), What materials are safe and not safe to engrave/vector cut, read Nov 5, 2026
No statement found for: Diode engrave or mark, Diode cut, Fiber engrave or mark, Fiber cut.
Notes from the pages
- xTool support: "Vaporization/melting of many materials, which include but are not limited to PVC and polycarbonate, may release harmful smoke."
Fumes
Every page read treats lasering as a fume source. Match your machine's exhaust figure to an extractor on the fume and room lookup.