Dross

Dross is the molten material that adheres to the underside of a cut part during laser cutting, appearing as a rough, bead-like coating of oxidized or re-solidified metal. Dross formation is influenced by cutting speed, assist gas type and pressure, and material thickness, with slower cuts or inadequate gas pressure allowing more dross to form.

Excessive dross requires secondary grinding or finishing operations, adding cost and labor to the fabrication process. Professional laser cutting services minimize dross through optimized cutting parameters, proper piercing technique, and quality assist gas management.

The presence of dross on precision parts is often unacceptable, making dross control a key performance metric for quality-conscious fabrication shops competing on edge quality and finish.