Hello All!
I first want to start off by saying this is truly a fantastic site (so much so I am going to be upgrading to contributor).
Okay, so while I was at my local Tandy Leather Outlet recently I was informed by the lady working there that a previous customer, who did laser engraving, informed her the while engraving a maroon/burgundy colored/dyed piece of leather that it "burnt out his laser". She went on to say and I am quoting, "He said that the chromium sulfate in the leather refracted the beam and therefore burnt out the laser." ???
I sent this question along to ULS to see if they have ever heard of this "problem" and the very helpful Darryl said that he didn't think that the "guy" had the correct setup (air assist and appropriate exhaust). I'm thinking the same thing because the leather was NOT metallic or shiny in anyway. It just looks like reddish leather.
In doing some research I have found that leather is either vegetable tanned or chrome tanned and that 90% of leather in the US is Chrome Tanned.
The reason that I bring this up today is because I had a customer stop by with a burgundy leather jacket bible to be engraved.
I know you're all super smart with these kind of "chemical reaction" questions, so any further explaination as to what could/can happen is greatly appreciated.
UPDATE: Heard back from ULS. The chromium sulfate DOES NOT affect the laser in anyway in regards to refracting the beam. It was this man's set up!