Brass Coating Removal

Brass-plating contamination arises during exposure to humid environments, and it forms unique patterns on the coated surface. This contamination, it develops as thin oxide layers with patchy distributions, thus creating irregular adhesion spots across brass regions. Material-specific behaviors emerge from brass's alloy composition, where zinc content accelerates corrosion and binds contaminants tightly, so removal proves challenging in laser cleaning applications. Laser pulses interact with these layers, yet the contamination still resists ablation due to its reflective nature on brass, and thus selective energy absorption leads to uneven cleaning. Following laser treatment, underlying plating often exhibits subtle discoloration, while persistent residues demand multiple passes for complete elimination. Efficiency of the process, it depends on pulse adjustments, and so optimized sequences reveal cleaner surfaces without substrate damage. Yi-Chun Lin, Ph.D.