has anyone engraved silicon rubber?

[geekinesis]

I am just wondering if it makes a good material to engrave before I experiment on my iphone sleeve.
Any advice about power settings and speed?
Silicon rubber is very heat resistant but I dont know if this applies to the action of a laser beam as well.

[zax15uk]

Silicone (the 'e' is important) rubber engraves very nicely.

It will look ugly right after lasering but with a soft toothbrush and some isopropanol you can remove the residue and get great results.

I've done a bunch of silicone wrist bands of all colors, never had any problems. The thinner sleeve may take some experimentation to find the correct power, so you don't go through but I would expect good results.

Zax.

[Litografa]

One of my first lasers was sold to company who made silicone forms for vacuum packaging. They have ready forms and it was necessary only engrave names of banks as later this forms were used to pack banknotes. Still in use since 1999

[geekinesis]

ok I tried a block of silicon(e)
It engraved quite well with some black residue that washed off in soap and water (I dont need it to look completely clean)

I am not sure what "laser rubber" is made from. There are a few types including vulcanised rubber. There seems to be an synthetic laser rubber available that could be silicone?

[zax15uk]

The synthetic laser rubber is probably some form of silicone or acrylonitrile rubber. If it's designed for stamps it is probably harder than the silicone sleeves.

Most 'natural' laser rubber is caoutchouc or gum elastic which is derived from latex sap (ficus trees). It is vulcanized.

The results are usually very acceptable once the residue is removed.

Zax.