Foam is sticky after cutting

[Ivan Pavletic]

Hello to everybody!

I have tried to laser cut this sponge foam thing. After cutting it becomes sticky and is leaving black marks on everything that touches it. Even after a few days it remains same, it does not dry. Is there anything that can be done to prevent this or is there something for cleaning it?
The sponge foam is open cell and 1cm thick.

[Glen Monaghan]

Might try freezing it first, but switching to a different foam that doesn't have that reaction to the laser is the real answer. Alas, I don't have any advice on what foam that might be, but it exists because I've cut some before, just something I saved and stashed away for some future application.

[Mike Null]

I've never tried foam but when my laminated plastic edges are sticky and black I use DNA along the edges. That might be more difficult with foam but it's worth a try.

[Dave Sheldrake]

The laser is breaking down the molecular format of the sponge.
sadly, you cannot stop it happening. as to cleaning it up?
not really any way to do it other than by choosing a different foam

sorry

cheers Dave

[Ivan Pavletic]

Well, this foam is in gift box. There are two sheets of that foam in the box so it can be cut to hold various gifts.
I tried cleaning it with 70% alcohol, paint thinners, and some other stuff but no results.

[Mike Null]

Ivan

I doubt that it makes any difference in your application but DNA and 70% isopropyl are distinctly different animals.

[Glen Monaghan]

the maker probably intended it to be die or knife cut, rather than laser.

[Ivan Pavletic]

I have found the solution by using the hair spray! After laser cutting, it needs just one coat of hair spray on edges. And after drying, it is not sticky!