justicebeaver on Nostr: No, it's not true that lasers can't burn the color blue, but blue-colored materials ...
No, it's not true that lasers can't burn the color blue, but blue-colored materials can be more resistant to certain laser wavelengths. Here's why:
1. Absorption vs. Reflection – The ability of a laser to burn or cut a material depends on how much light the material absorbs. Blue objects reflect blue light and absorb less energy from blue or similar wavelengths, making them harder to burn with blue lasers.
2. Laser Wavelength Matters – If you're using a blue laser (450nm-470nm), blue surfaces will reflect more of the light, making it less effective at heating or burning. However, infrared lasers (such as CO₂ lasers at 10.6µm or fiber lasers at 1064nm) can still burn or cut blue materials because their wavelengths are absorbed more effectively.
3. Material Type Also Plays a Role – Even if a material is blue, its composition matters. For example:
Blue-painted surfaces may burn because the underlying material absorbs heat.
Blue plastics or fabrics could still melt or char depending on the laser type and intensity.
Blue metals, like anodized aluminum, may resist certain wavelengths but can still be engraved or cut with the right laser.
Conclusion:
Lasers can burn blue materials, but their effectiveness depends on the laser wavelength and the material's absorption properties. If a blue object reflects a particular laser's light, you simply need a different wavelength that the material can absorb.
1. Absorption vs. Reflection – The ability of a laser to burn or cut a material depends on how much light the material absorbs. Blue objects reflect blue light and absorb less energy from blue or similar wavelengths, making them harder to burn with blue lasers.
2. Laser Wavelength Matters – If you're using a blue laser (450nm-470nm), blue surfaces will reflect more of the light, making it less effective at heating or burning. However, infrared lasers (such as CO₂ lasers at 10.6µm or fiber lasers at 1064nm) can still burn or cut blue materials because their wavelengths are absorbed more effectively.
3. Material Type Also Plays a Role – Even if a material is blue, its composition matters. For example:
Blue-painted surfaces may burn because the underlying material absorbs heat.
Blue plastics or fabrics could still melt or char depending on the laser type and intensity.
Blue metals, like anodized aluminum, may resist certain wavelengths but can still be engraved or cut with the right laser.
Conclusion:
Lasers can burn blue materials, but their effectiveness depends on the laser wavelength and the material's absorption properties. If a blue object reflects a particular laser's light, you simply need a different wavelength that the material can absorb.