Laser Cutting Thickness Chart
Typical cutting ranges for carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminium across fiber laser power levels. Use this chart to narrow your power selection before requesting quotations.
This chart shows practical cutting ranges — not theoretical maximums. Actual cutting capability depends on material grade, surface condition and required cutting quality.
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These are typical cutting ranges for reference. Actual cutting capability depends on material grade, surface condition, required cutting quality (clean cut vs rough cut) and machine configuration. Use this chart as a starting point for power selection, then verify with your specific materials.
Carbon Steel Cutting Thickness by Power
Typical ranges for mild carbon steel (MS) — clean cut quality.
The following are practical clean-cut thickness ranges for mild carbon steel at standard cutting speeds. Thicker cuts are possible at reduced speeds or with different quality settings.
| Power | Clean Cut (Standard Speed) | Max Cut (Reduced Speed) |
|---|---|---|
| 1kW | Up to 3mm | 5–6mm |
| 2kW | Up to 5mm | 8mm |
| 3kW | Up to 6–8mm | 10–12mm |
| 4kW | Up to 8–10mm | 12–14mm |
| 6kW | Up to 12–14mm | 18–20mm |
| 8kW | Up to 14–16mm | 22–25mm |
| 10kW | Up to 16–18mm | 25–30mm |
| 12kW | Up to 20–22mm | 30–35mm |
| 15kW | Up to 22–25mm | 35–40mm |
| 20kW | Up to 28–30mm | 40–45mm |
| 30kW | Up to 35–40mm | 50–55mm |
Notes:
- Clean cut = smooth edge quality suitable for finished parts
- Max cut = thicker cutting possible at reduced speeds with rougher edge
- Cutting nitrogen vs air affects speed and edge quality differently
- Material grade and surface condition affect cutting performance
Key Point
Use the Laser Power Recommendation Tool to get a specific recommendation based on your most common carbon steel thickness and quality requirements. Get power recommendation
Stainless Steel Cutting Thickness by Power
Typical ranges for stainless steel (SS) — clean cut quality.
Stainless steel requires more laser power than carbon steel at the same thickness due to its reflective properties and thermal conductivity. The following are practical clean-cut ranges.
| Power | Clean Cut (Standard Speed) | Max Cut (Reduced Speed) |
|---|---|---|
| 1kW | Up to 1.5mm | 2–3mm |
| 2kW | Up to 2–3mm | 4–5mm |
| 3kW | Up to 3–4mm | 5–6mm |
| 4kW | Up to 4–5mm | 7–8mm |
| 6kW | Up to 6–8mm | 10–12mm |
| 8kW | Up to 8–10mm | 14–16mm |
| 10kW | Up to 10–12mm | 16–18mm |
| 12kW | Up to 12–14mm | 18–22mm |
| 15kW | Up to 14–16mm | 22–25mm |
| 20kW | Up to 18–20mm | 28–30mm |
| 30kW | Up to 25–30mm | 35–40mm |
Notes:
- Nitrogen assist gas is typically used for stainless to prevent oxidation
- Higher nitrogen pressure and purity improve cut quality
- 300-series stainless cuts differently from 200-series
- Surface condition (2B, BA, No. 1) affects cutting efficiency
Aluminium Cutting Thickness by Power
Typical ranges for aluminium — clean cut quality.
Aluminium is the most challenging common material for fiber lasers due to its high reflectivity. Higher power and nitrogen assist gas are typically required for clean cuts.
| Power | Clean Cut (Standard Speed) | Max Cut (Reduced Speed) |
|---|---|---|
| 1kW | Up to 1mm | 2mm |
| 2kW | Up to 2–3mm | 4mm |
| 3kW | Up to 3–4mm | 6mm |
| 4kW | Up to 4–5mm | 7–8mm |
| 6kW | Up to 6–8mm | 10–12mm |
| 8kW | Up to 8–10mm | 14–16mm |
| 10kW | Up to 10–12mm | 16–18mm |
| 12kW | Up to 12–14mm | 18–22mm |
| 15kW | Up to 14–16mm | 22–25mm |
| 20kW | Up to 18–22mm | 28–30mm |
| 30kW | Up to 25–30mm | 35–40mm |
Notes:
- Aluminium reflectivity requires specific fiber laser wavelength considerations
- Nitrogen assist gas prevents oxidation and improves cut quality
- Higher powers significantly improve thick aluminium cutting
- 6061 and 5052 are easier to cut than 7075
- Surface condition affects cutting efficiency significantly
Tube and Profile Cutting by Power
Typical ranges for round tube and square profile.
Tube and profile cutting capability depends on tube diameter, wall thickness and geometry. The following are typical ranges for standard structural sections.
Round Tube Cutting (wall thickness):
| Power | Carbon Steel Tube | Stainless Tube | Aluminium Tube |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3kW | Up to 3–4mm wall | Up to 2–3mm wall | Up to 2mm wall |
| 6kW | Up to 6–8mm wall | Up to 4–5mm wall | Up to 3–4mm wall |
| 12kW | Up to 10–12mm wall | Up to 6–8mm wall | Up to 6–8mm wall |
| 20kW | Up to 16–20mm wall | Up to 10–12mm wall | Up to 10–12mm wall |
Notes:
- Tube diameter affects maximum wall thickness capability
- Square and rectangular profiles have different heat dissipation characteristics
- Rotary cutting attachment quality affects round tube cut quality
- Larger tube diameters require higher power for equivalent wall thickness cutting
Use this chart to narrow your power selection, then use the Laser Power Recommendation Tool for a tailored estimate based on your specific materials and production requirements.
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Laser Cutting Thickness Chart FAQ
Common questions about cutting thickness and power.