Industrial Oil / Grease Buildup contamination on surface before laser cleaning
Alessandro Moretti
Alessandro MorettiPh.D.Italy
Laser-Based Additive Manufacturing
Published
Dec 16, 2025

Industrial Oil / Grease Buildup Contamination

Industrial oil contamination, it arises in manufacturing environments where machinery lubricants degrade under friction and heat, forming sticky residues that adhere to operational surfaces during prolonged use. This substance, it manifests a tenacious hold influenced from warmth and air exposure, distinguishing it from faster-evaporating solvents by penetrating microstructures on metals to create resilient sheaths or thicker layers on porous materials that impair pliability. Key removal challenges stem from its oily composition repelling water-based agents and rebounding from mechanical scrubbing, yet laser cleaning proves effective, vaporizing the oil through selective light absorption that preserves underlying bases unharmed.

Safety Information

Critical safety data for laser removal operations

Fire/Explosion Risk
low
Toxic Gas Risk
moderate
Visibility Hazard
moderate

Required Personal Protective Equipment

Respiratory Protection
PAPR
Eye Protection
goggles
Skin Protection
gloves

Hazardous Fumes Generated

CompoundConcentrationExposure LimitHazard ClassStatus
Acrolein2.5 mg/m³0.23 mg/m³toxic⚠️ Exceeds Limit
Formaldehyde1.8 mg/m³0.37 mg/m³carcinogenic⚠️ Exceeds Limit
Benzene0.8 mg/m³0.32 mg/m³carcinogenic⚠️ Exceeds Limit
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)1.2 mg/m³0.2 mg/m³carcinogenic⚠️ Exceeds Limit

Ventilation Requirements

Air Changes Per Hour
12
Exhaust Velocity
0.5 m/s
Filtration Type
carbon

Particulate Generation

Respirable Fraction
70%
Size Range
0.1 - 10 μm

Substrate Compatibility Warnings

  • Laser parameters must be optimized to avoid substrate damage and excessive fume generation
  • Test cleaning parameters on small area first to assess fume production
  • Avoid laser cleaning on thin or heat-sensitive materials

Industrial Oil / Grease Buildup surface magnification

Before Treatment

Surface shows contamination from industrial oil / grease buildup affecting material appearance and properties.

After Treatment

Post-cleaning reveals restored surface with industrial oil / grease buildup successfully removed through precise laser ablation.