Laser Cutting Sintra (Expanded PVC)

[AaronLee]

Hey everyone, I tried doing some searches but I couldn't dig up anything so I apologize if this information is somewhere.

My question is if it's hazardous to cut sintra sheets without some sort of special precautions. A custom laser cutting company told me that they couldn't cut sintra due to it's chlorine content. Some other companies list sintra as a material they can cut, so I thought I'd double check.

 

[Fetts.Sobriquet]

I wonder if thats why my nose burns when the sintra starts burning under the heat gun. :lol

Here is the link to the HMDS for sintra that outlines the hazards.

http://www.harborsales.net/Portals/0/docs/Sintra MSDS.pdf

 

[Scott Graham]

Without really knowing the answer, I would guess that it's the fumes given off while cutting it because the laser burns it. It might be hazardous to the operator.

I used to use the stuff in design school. Never heard that it was hazardous though.

I googled 'sintra hazardous' and found this on another forum. It explains the problems with it:

http://www.thehunterslair.com/index.php?showtopic=11169

 

[swgeek]

The fumes are actually hazardous to the laser cutter. The fumes given off by cutting syntra are corrosive to the machine.

 

[vaderman1701]

My company uses a digital router to cut sintra all of the time. We have no problems whatsover. How thick is the sintra you need cut?

Scott

 

[AaronLee]

I have 3mm sheets on hand right now, but I was thinking of using 2mm.

Hazardous to the machine huh, that seems a little unexpected.

 

[Raffles]

Shouldn't be hazardous with the right ventilation/extraction.