Laser cutting aluminium
Aluminium behaves differently from steel under the laser and in the operations that follow. The alloy and the rest of the route determine what the part can do.
What makes aluminium different
Aluminium conducts heat away quickly and reflects more than steel. The process has to be set up for that. It also behaves differently mechanically: it is softer, deforms more easily under clamping force and springs back differently when bent.
Consequences for the rest of the route
For bending that means different radii and different springback; for welding it means a different preparation. If a part is bent or welded after cutting, it makes sense to go through the whole route at once rather than operation by operation.
Which alloys we process
We cut aluminium up to 15 mm thick – less than steel and stainless steel, because aluminium conducts heat away faster and reflects more. These are the alloys we process as sheet, strip and coil:
| EN AW | Name | Material no. |
|---|---|---|
| 1050A | Al99,5 | 3.0255 |
| 3105 | AlMn0,5Mg0,5 | 3.0505 |
| 5005A | AlMg1 | 3.3315 |
| 5052 | 3.3523 | |
| 5754 | AlMg3 | 3.3535 |
| 5083 | AlMg4,5Mn | 3.3547.10 |
| 6005A | AlMgSi0,7 | 3.3210 |
| 6060 | AlMgSi0,5 | 3.3206 |
| 6082 | AlMgSi1 | 3.2315 |
EN AW-1085, EN AW-6026, EN AW-6063, EN AW-7075 and AlCu6BiPb (3.1655) are also in our range. They come as bar, tube and section and therefore do not go through the laser cutting machine; they belong to CNC milling.
If your alloy is not listed, please ask.
What we need from you
The alloy and the thickness, the quantities and the operations that follow. The alloy really matters here – not every aluminium alloy bends or welds equally well.
Frequently asked questions
How thick can you laser cut aluminium?
We cut aluminium up to 15 mm thick. That is less than for steel and stainless steel, because aluminium conducts heat away faster and reflects more. What is feasible for your part also depends on its shape and on the operations that follow.
Which aluminium alloys can be laser cut?
As sheet, strip and coil we process EN AW-1050A, 3105, 5005A, 5052, 5754, 5083, 6005A, 6060 and 6082. Alloys that come as bar, tube or section, such as EN AW-6063 and 7075, belong to machining rather than laser cutting. If your alloy is not listed, please ask.
Why does the alloy matter if aluminium is bent or welded afterwards?
Not every aluminium alloy bends or welds equally well. Aluminium springs back differently from steel when bent, and needs different radii and a different weld preparation. In your enquiry, therefore, go through the whole route: alloy, thickness, quantities and the operations that follow.