Method of making an abradable seal by laser cutting

A process for preparing an abradable seal for a component comprising:

• cutting a pattern with a laser into the surface of an abradable seal material effective to provide improved abradability in the area of the pattern, wherein said abradable seal material seals the space between the component and an adjacent surface moveable relative thereto by being abraded by relative movement between the component and the adjacent surface and wherein the pattern is in an area and to a depth which the adjacent surface will abrade in creating a seal.