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IndustryArena Forum > Laser Engraving and Cutting Machines > Laser Hardware > Which mirror material for 50W CO2 laser?
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Posts
    62

    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...

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    6028

    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.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Posts
    62

    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?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    108

    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.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Posts
    62

    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...

  6. #6

    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:[email protected]:86-18516298692.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Posts
    67

    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

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Posts
    75

    Re: Which mirror material for 50W CO2 laser?

    Here is how Russ built his final set:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELeqP3tHlp0
    "80 Watt” 700mm x 500mm Ke Hui 7050 Laser (Similar to the Red Sail)

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