Which mirror material for 50W CO2 laser?

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Thread: Which mirror material for 50W CO2 laser?

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    Default Which mirror material for 50W CO2 laser?

    I need a new set of mirrors for my 50W laser machine (it came with bad ones). Does material matter? What should I choose? I'm seeing MO, SI, K9, gold plated, etc...

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    Default Re: Which mirror material for 50W CO2 laser?

    http://www.edmundoptics.com/technica...rror-coatings/

    might shed a little light (ha ha) on the subject. Really depends on laser wavelength.



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    Default Re: Which mirror material for 50W CO2 laser?

    Quote Originally Posted by underthetire View Post
    http://www.edmundoptics.com/technica...rror-coatings/

    might shed a little light (ha ha) on the subject. Really depends on laser wavelength.
    Thanks, that's a great article! Unfortunately they don't mention specifics on anything outside of aluminum/gold plated materials...
    I'll do some more digging. So far I gather that:
    - Silicone (SI) mirrors seem to have good quality to price ratio, but I'm still unclear if they are gold plated or not...
    - K9 as I understand is just type of glass, so really question is coating there too...
    - MO is Molybdenum, and it's very tough but I'm not sure if it's relfectivity is good or not very?
    I'm also curious what is reflectivity % of hard disk platters?

    Last edited by bratan; 02-23-2015 at 02:14 PM.


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    Default Re: Which mirror material for 50W CO2 laser?

    If you are going to cut PETG (clear looking plastic.. not acrylic) .. you can't use the gold-coated Silicon. The gold will react with the PETG and flake right off. If you plan to cut and engrave a wild variety of stuff, then I recommend the Molybdenum mirrors. They last quite a long time really.

    If you are in a high humidity environment and only cut/engrave wood (never PETG) , then I would recommend the gold-coated Silicon.



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    Default Re: Which mirror material for 50W CO2 laser?

    Quote Originally Posted by rayscott View Post
    If you are going to cut PETG (clear looking plastic.. not acrylic) .. you can't use the gold-coated Silicon. The gold will react with the PETG and flake right off. If you plan to cut and engrave a wild variety of stuff, then I recommend the Molybdenum mirrors. They last quite a long time really.

    If you are in a high humidity environment and only cut/engrave wood (never PETG) , then I would recommend the gold-coated Silicon.
    Thanks! Are mylar/acetate sheets have any PETG? I got fold Si mirrors and have been using them for few weeks... Mostly acrylic wood, but I do need to cut mylar for pcb stencils... I also tried cutting some polycarbonate but stopped as soon as I saw scary looking yellow smoke...



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    Default Re: Which mirror material for 50W CO2 laser?

    Hi ,

    for the quality of the Mirror

    The smart choice is Silicon and Mo

    The worst is the K9

    for your 50W machine , you can choose Mo mirror

    Best regards

    co2 laser machine&parts. tubes,lens,mirrors,DSP control systems ,powers etc .
    Email/Skype:weihonglaser.frank@hotmail.com.WhatsApp:86-18516298692.


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    Default Re: Which mirror material for 50W CO2 laser?

    FwiW. Im attempting to build my own Copper mirrors. Mine are 25mm. I cut 30 pcs from a .25 billet stick. I have polished them to a super flat finish but keep obsessing over them I cant seem to get them to perfection. Which I will do.
    And when I do Ill post pics and how I got their. Most high power lasers use Copper mirrors. Some gold plated. some nickle and then gold plated. But some of them just copper.
    -Sam



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    Default Re: Which mirror material for 50W CO2 laser?

    Here is how Russ built his final set:



    "80 Watt” 700mm x 500mm Ke Hui KH-750 Laser (Similar to the Red Sail)


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Which mirror material for 50W CO2 laser?

Which mirror material for 50W CO2 laser?