Mineral Scale / Hard Water Deposits Contamination

After prolonged heat exposure in water-prone areas, scale-buildup forms as adherent oxide layers through oxidation process. This contamination exhibits tenacious bonding to surfaces and rough porous structure, so it differs from loose particulates or oily residues that detach easily. On reactive metals like steel, thick coatings insulate and promote corrosion underneath, while on inert non-metals such as alumina, thinner layers invite less cracking; removal challenges strong adhesion, so laser cleaning ablates precisely without substrate damage.