What Metals Can a Metal Laser Cutting Service Cut? A UK Buyer's Guide

Picking the right metal is the first decision on any laser cut part, and it affects price, finish, lead time and what happens to the part after cutting. This guide runs through the common choices, what each is good for, and what to ask a supplier before you send a drawing.

Which metal should you choose for a laser cut part?

Start with where the part will live and what it has to do. A bracket inside a painted machine frame has very different needs from a panel in a food factory or a decorative screen in a shop. Strength, weight, corrosion resistance and appearance usually decide it, and cost follows from there.

How thick can each metal be laser cut?

Mild steel

Mild steel is the workhorse. It is strong, cost effective and easy to fold, weld and paint. It is the thickest material we cut, up to 20mm, in grades including S275, CR4, S355, Durbar chequer plate, Cor-ten and armoured plate. Most common thicknesses are held in stock, so jobs can start without waiting on a steel delivery. See our mild steel laser cutting page for grades and secondary operations.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel resists rust and staining, and it is easy to keep clean, which is why it is used for catering, medical and outdoor parts. We cut 304, 316, 430 and Hastelloy up to 12mm, with other grades on request. Find out more about our stainless steel laser cutting service.

Aluminium

Aluminium is light, resists corrosion and conducts heat well, so it suits enclosures, transport parts and anything where weight matters. We cut 5251, 1050, 5083 and treadplate up to 12mm, and material can be supplied with a plastic coating to reduce handling marks. Read more about aluminium laser cutting.

Galvanised and Zintec

Pre-galvanised and coated steels arrive with corrosion protection already on the surface. We cut them up to 5mm, which suits ducting, enclosures and parts that will not be painted.

Brass, bronze and copper

These reflective metals were hard on older CO2 lasers. Fibre lasers handle them well, and we cut brass and bronze and copper up to 3mm for architectural, electrical, lighting and shopfitting work.

Does the cutting gas matter?

Yes. Oxygen cutting is fast and works well on thicker mild steel, but it leaves a slightly oxidised, brown edge. Nitrogen gives a clean, bright, oxide-free edge, which is the usual choice for stainless steel and aluminium where the finish matters or the part will be welded or coated. Compressed air is a cost effective option on some thinner materials. If you are unsure, prototype both and compare.

What tolerances can a metal laser cutting service hold?

At GF Laser we hold +/- 0.25mm as standard across mild steel, stainless, aluminium and yellow metals. Tighter tolerances of +/- 0.1mm are available with prior technical approval, once we have reviewed the part. If your drawing has critical dimensions, talk to the estimating team before you commit it.

What else should you ask a UK supplier?

• Is the material held in stock, or does it have to be ordered in?
• Can the parts be folded, drilled, tapped and coated in the same order?
• What is the standard lead time, and is there a faster route?
• Which quality accreditations does the supplier hold?

For reference, our standard flatbed lead time is three working days, with a 24 hour route when you need it. We fold on Amada press brakes up to 4 metres, and our systems are approved to ISO 9001:2015 and EN 1090. You can see our sheet metal bending capability if your parts need folding after cutting.

Conclusion

Choose the metal for the job the part has to do, then check the supplier can cut it at the thickness, tolerance and finish you need. A good metal laser cutting service will tell you early if a different grade or gas would work better. Send a DXF, DWG or STEP file through the GF Laser website or call 01384 245095, and we will come back with a price and a date within 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions

What is the thickest metal you can laser cut?

At GF Laser, mild steel is the thickest at 20mm. Stainless steel and aluminium go up to 12mm, galvanised to 5mm, and brass, bronze and copper to 3mm.

Can you laser cut brass and copper?

Yes. We cut brass, bronze and copper up to 3mm on fibre lasers, which handle reflective metals far better than older CO2 machines.

What is the largest sheet size you can cut?

Our flatbed lasers take sheets up to 4000 x 2000mm, from a minimum thickness of 0.5mm.