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Chlorine test (view source)

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[[Laser Cutter|Back to Laser Cutter]]
[[Laser Cutter|Back to Laser Cutter]]


==In Brief==
==Intro==


The laser can successfully cut many materials that are damaging to the laser when cut. Do not think that just because the laser can cut it, it is acceptable to do so.
The laser can successfully cut many materials that it shouldn't.
In particular, materials containing chlorine (like PVC) release vapor that will corrode the laser's parts and also your lungs.


In particular '''chlorinated''' materials create fumes which destroy laser components, primarily the optics. These are very expensive to replace. '''All unknown or unproven materials must have a sample tested for chlorine prior to cutting them in the laser'''.
A simple test can determine if a material contains chlorine.


Burn copper wire with a torch until green flame stops. Continue heating copper wire red hot. Jab still-hot copper wire into sample piece away from flame (below flame works best). If green smoke or flame ensues, there is chlorine in the piece and it cannot be used inside the laser cutter.
==Procedure==
 
Do this outdoors or under the welding hood when possible.
 
You will need:
* Thick copper wire (A tube of these is in the Trotec PC drawer)
* Pliers
* Propane torch (Usually found in the welding area)
* A small sample of your material
 
1. Use a pair of pliers to hold the end of the wire in the flame for a few seconds
 
2. Stab the still-hot wire into a sample of your test material - try to get a decent amount of it melted on there
 
3. Put the wire back in the flame
* If the flame turns emerald green, chlorine is present in the material and it must not be used in the laser cutter.
* If the flame remains blue or orange your sample does not have (much) chlorine.
This does NOT automatically mean that it is safe in the laser.
 
With any new material, proceed with caution and watch carefully for fire, thick smoke, or sputtering.


==Known Materials==
==Known Materials==
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* Leather
* Leather
* Fibreglass cloth (no resin)
* Fibreglass cloth (no resin)
* Glass (etching only)  
* Glass (Etching Only)
 
* Anodized Aluminum (Etching Anodizing)


Unacceptable:
Unacceptable:
* PVC plastic. PVC = "'''P'''oly'''V'''inyl '''C'''hloride". The "chloride" means it has chlorine.
* PVC plastic. PVC = "'''P'''oly'''V'''inyl '''C'''hloride". The "chloride" means it has chlorine.
* Sintra
* Sintra
*  
* Composites (fibreglass, carbon fibre)
* (Incomplete List)
* Leather and artificial leather that contains chromium (VI)
* Carbon fibers (Carbon)
* Polyvinyl butyrale (PVB)
* Polytetrafluoroethylenes (PTFE /Teflon)
* Beryllium oxide
* Any materials containing halogens (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine), epoxy or phenolic resins
 


==Introduction==
==Trivia==


The Beilstein Test: Screening Organic and Polymeric Materials for the Presence of Chlorine, with Examples of Products Tested
The Beilstein Test: Screening Organic and Polymeric Materials for the Presence of Chlorine, with Examples of Products Tested
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The test is based on the reaction of chlorine with copper compounds at the high temperatures found in burner flames. These conditions produce excited, green-coloured copper atoms or ions that cause the normally colourless (or very slightly blue) flame to flare brilliant green (or sometimes blue-green).
The test is based on the reaction of chlorine with copper compounds at the high temperatures found in burner flames. These conditions produce excited, green-coloured copper atoms or ions that cause the normally colourless (or very slightly blue) flame to flare brilliant green (or sometimes blue-green).
==Procedure==
Do this outdoors or under the welding hood please.
You will need:
* Thick copper wire (A tube of these is in the Trotec PC drawer)
* Pliers
* Propane torch (Usually found in the welding area)
* A small sample of your material
Use a pair of pliers to hold the end of the wire in the flame for a few seconds
Stab the still-hot wire into a sample of your test material - try to get a decent amount of it melted on there
Put the wire back in the flame
* If the flame turns emerald green, chlorine is present in the material and it must not be used in the laser cutter.
* If the flame remains blue or orange your sample does not have (much) chlorine. This does NOT automatically mean that it is safe in the laser.
With any new material, proceed with caution and watch carefully for fire or thick, dark smoke.
==Discussion==


The Beilstein Test has been used for many decades to analyze organic and polymeric materials (Shriner et a1. 1964; Vogel 1966). A very similar test is now used by refrigeration technicians to detect and localize leaks of freon-type refrigerants (i.e., chlorinated and fluorinated hydrocarbons). This test has also been recommended for detecting PVC coin storage products (Sharpless 1980).
The Beilstein Test has been used for many decades to analyze organic and polymeric materials (Shriner et a1. 1964; Vogel 1966). A very similar test is now used by refrigeration technicians to detect and localize leaks of freon-type refrigerants (i.e., chlorinated and fluorinated hydrocarbons). This test has also been recommended for detecting PVC coin storage products (Sharpless 1980).
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