How thick can steel be laser cut?

Steel can be laser cut from 0.5 mm to 20.0 mm on our fiber lasers. The practical limit is often lower: the press brake stops at 10.0 mm, so anything thicker stays a flat part or becomes a welded assembly. Our Mexico facility stocks A36 to 15.87 mm (5/8 in).

Should steel be cut with oxygen or nitrogen?

Carbon steel at or below 6 mm is cut with nitrogen, and above 6 mm with oxygen. Below 6 mm nitrogen is about twice as fast (7 m/min against 3.4 m/min at 6 mm) at essentially the same cost per minute, and it leaves a bright edge that needs no descaling before coating.

What edge quality does laser cut steel have?

Nitrogen-cut steel from 2–6 mm measures Ra 3.2–6.4 µm surface roughness. Oxygen-cut steel from 10–20 mm measures Ra 6.4–12 µm. Perpendicularity is held to ±1°. Reference ISO 9013:2017 on your drawing if the cut face has to meet a defined quality class.

Does laser cutting warp steel?

Some distortion is unavoidable, and thin sheet distorts more than thick plate. For Q235 under 3 mm with a 300–1,000 mm longest side, flatness is controlled to 2.0 mm; above 6 mm the same part is held to 1.2 mm. Parts are checked on a granite plate with a feeler gauge.

Do laser cut steel parts come deburred?

Yes. Deburring is applied by default, so it does not need to be specified. On an untreated laser cut edge, burr height can reach about 1 mm where slat wear or nozzle spatter goes against the cut, which is why the operation is standard rather than optional.

Can galvanized steel be laser cut?

Yes. SGCC is stocked to 3.0 mm, so every galvanized part falls under the 6 mm nitrogen threshold and zinc burn-back at the cut edge is negligible. Zinc protects the bare edge sacrificially. Pretreatment before powder coating is part of the standard process.

Laser Cut Steel: Grades, Thickness Limits and Tolerances

Key Takeaways
Which Steel Grades Can Be Laser Cut?
How Thick of a Steel Sheet Can Be Laser Cut?
Should You Use Oxygen or Nitrogen Assist Gas?
What Tolerances and Edge Quality Can You Expect?
How Flat Is a Laser Cut Steel Part?
How Does Hot Rolled Differ from Cold Rolled Under a Laser?
Can Galvanized Steel Be Laser Cut?
What Is the Maximum Sheet Size for Laser Cut Steel?
Which Design Rules Matter Most for Steel Parts?
Which Finishes Pair With Laser Cut Steel?
How to Order Laser Cut Steel Parts Online
Frequently Asked Questions

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