LASER EVERYTHING
The following materials are known to produce hazardous decomposition products.
Exercise extreme caution when handling unknown materials.
Neoprene (Polychloroprene)
RATING: DANGEROUS
Hazardous decomposition products: Hydrogen chloride, Carbon monoxide, Organic acids, Aldehydes, Alcohols
Acute inhalation of Hydrogen chloride exposure may cause eye, nose, and respiratory tract irritation and inflammation and pulmonary edema in humans. Hydrogen chloride may react explosively with alcohols, hydrogen cyanide, metal acetylides and other materials. Hydrogen chloride will attack many metals such as cooper, brass and zinc releasing explosive hydrogen gas. Hydrogen chloride rapidly corrodes steel. Hydrogen chloride when exposed to water or moisture results in hydrochloric and hypochlorous acids which cause rapid oxidization of many metals and can be fatal when generated by combining hydrogen chloride and moisture in the lungs.
ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)
RATING: DANGEROUS
Hazardous decomposition products: Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, Hydrocarbons, Hydrogen Cyanide, Styrene, Aldehyde, Phenol, Acrylonitrile, Nitrogen Oxide
Hydrogen Cyanide is a systemic chemical asphyxiant. It interferes with the normal use of oxygen by nearly every organ of the body. Exposure to hydrogen cyanide can be rapidly fatal. It has whole-body (systemic) effects, particularly affecting those organ systems most sensitive to low oxygen levels: the central nervous system (brain), the cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels), and the pulmonary system (lungs). Hydrogen cyanide is a chemical warfare agent (military designation, AC)
PVC or Vinyl (Polyvinyl chloride)
RATING: DANGEROUS
Hazardous decomposition products: Hydrogen chloride, Carbon monoxide, Organic acids, Aldehydes, Alcohols
Acute inhalation of Hydrogen chloride exposure may cause eye, nose, and respiratory tract irritation and inflammation and pulmonary edema in humans. Hydrogen chloride may react explosively with alcohols, hydrogen cyanide, metal acetylides and other materials. Hydrogen chloride will attack many metals such as cooper, brass and zinc releasing explosive hydrogen gas. Hydrogen chloride rapidly corrodes steel. Hydrogen chloride when exposed to water or moisture results in hydrochloric and hypochlorous acids which cause rapid oxidization of many metals and can be fatal when generated by combining hydrogen chloride and moisture in the lungs.
EVA (Ethylene-vinyl acetate)
RATING: CAUTION
Hazardous decomposition products: Carbon monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, Irritating Fumes
While EVA foam is not inherently dangerous to mark or engrave with a laser, there are a variety of COMMON additives used to color and treat many types of EVA foam that result in harmful substances like Formaldehyde which can be dangerous and carcinogenic. Exercise extreme caution when you are uncertain of the make up of your EVA.
*The information on this page is intended as a quick reference and is intended for educational purposes only.
Laser Everything recommends consulting an expert, reading and maintaining material data safety sheets on all substrates you work with.
Please be sure to perform your due diligence in researching the dangers of laser marking and engraving each material before proceeding.