Browse by Material

Easiest laser cleaning application. High pulse energy (Netalux class) enables single-pass removal of thick rust. MOPA at moderate frequency equally effective with more passes.

Mill scale is denser than rust. Requires 3–5× higher fluence than red rust. Multi-pass or high pulse energy recommended.

⚠ CRITICAL: Zinc vapor is toxic (metal fume fever). Laser zinc removal requires forced-air extraction, appropriate PPE (supplied air or P100 respirator), and industrial hygiene protocols. OSHA PEL: 5 mg/m³ (fume), ACGIH TLV: 2 mg/m³.

Very low fluence effective. CW lasers highly efficient for large-area degreasing. Fume extraction required.

Fume extraction critical — combustion byproducts from rubber contain hydrocarbons. CW approach effective for heavy buildup on large flange faces.

Concrete dust and rebar geometry create access challenges. No vibration damage to surrounding concrete — key advantage over mechanical methods.

Heat tint is a thermally grown Cr₂O₃ / iron oxide multilayer (0.1–5 µm). MOPA at 50–100 kHz with 0.5–1.5 J/cm² removes tint without affecting passive film or base metal surface finish. Multiple low-fluence passes preferred over single high-fluence pass. Post-cleaning passivation recommended for food-grade or pharmaceutical applications.

⚠ Heavy annealing scale on stainless requires fluence approaching substrate damage threshold. Test on representative samples. Avoid high peak power (Q-switched high-energy) without prior trials.

⚠ Aluminum has high thermal conductivity and low melting point (660°C). At ns pulse widths, the process window between removing the oxide and damaging the aluminum substrate is <2×. Ultrashort pulses (ps/fs) strongly preferred. Test on samples before production use.

Use minimum effective fluence. Do not exceed 1 J/cm² without substrate damage testing.

PVD/CVD coatings are highly adherent. Verify coating chemistry before attempting — TiN coatings absorb differently than TiAlN. Multiple passes at moderate fluence preferred over single high-fluence pass to control substrate heat input.

⚠ Copper and copper alloys have very high reflectivity at 1064 nm (~90%). Beam reflection can be a safety hazard. Green (532 nm) or UV (355 nm) lasers significantly more efficient for copper cleaning. At 1064 nm, use maximum fluence consistent with substrate preservation.

For artwork and heritage objects: consult conservator before treatment. ICOM-CC recommendations apply. Test patch on inconspicuous area required.

⚠ Titanium combustion risk: finely divided titanium particles are flammable. Fume extraction and non-sparking tools required. Do not allow titanium dust accumulation. Avoid laser cleaning of titanium in oxygen-enriched environments.

Titanium oxide scale from annealing or welding (alpha case / heat tint) typically 0.5–20 µm thick. MOPA at low fluence (1–2 J/cm²) with multiple passes is preferred over single-pass high fluence. Verify removal completeness with HF spot test or XPS — visible color change alone is insufficient.

Inconel oxide scales from high-temperature service are Cr₂O₃/NiO multilayers, typically 5–100 µm. High-energy Q-switched preferred for single-pass removal of heavy scale. MOPA effective for light oxidation. No substrate damage risk at fluences <10 J/cm². Common in aerospace MRO and power generation turbine blade refurbishment.

⚠ Risk of plasma formation at high fluence leaving dark spots (laser-induced discoloration). Stay below 0.8 J/cm² for polished surfaces. Test patch required.

Gold standard for building facade and sculpture conservation. KrF excimer (248 nm) historically dominant for delicate work; 1064 nm Nd:YAG effective for heavy crust with careful pulse energy control.

Granite's crystalline structure (quartz, feldspar, mica) responds well to 1064 nm laser cleaning. Lichen removal may require fluences approaching 2 J/cm²; atmospheric soiling and soot remove at 0.5–1 J/cm². Avoid rapid scanning over mica inclusions — differential thermal expansion can cause micro-fracturing.

Common application: monument and memorial cleaning, building facade restoration. Test patch on representative area required — mineral composition varies significantly between granite types.

⚠ Polished marble is highly sensitive to laser-induced micro-roughening and discoloration above 0.7 J/cm². Honed or flamed finishes are more tolerant. Test patch on concealed area before any production work. Veining and inclusions affect local threshold.

Marble laser cleaning is well-established in conservation but requires conservator involvement for heritage objects. UV (355 nm) or green (532 nm) wavelengths preferred for sculpture; 1064 nm acceptable for architectural marble with appropriate fluence control.

⚠ Sandstone is highly variable — porosity, cementation, and grain size dramatically affect damage threshold. Iron-rich sandstones absorb more strongly and damage at lower fluence. Field trials with multiple test patches at ascending fluence are mandatory before any production cleaning.

Silica quartz grains transmit 1064 nm; absorption occurs primarily at iron oxide cement and surface contamination. This makes sandstone cleaning particularly unpredictable. Friable or poorly cemented sandstones should be avoided.

Slate's laminar structure (phyllosilicate minerals) responds well to laser cleaning at moderate fluence. Primary application is architectural slate (roofing, flooring, cladding) and memorial stonework. Avoid high peak power on thin sections — thermal gradient can cause delamination along cleavage planes.

Concrete laser cleaning is primarily used for graffiti removal, paint stripping, and surface preparation before repair or coating. Aggregate type (silica vs. carbonate) affects local threshold variability. High-energy Q-switched effective for heavy coatings; MOPA suitable for light contamination and graffiti. Fume extraction required for lead-based paints.

Brick cleaning is primarily architectural conservation — soot from fires, industrial pollution, and salt efflorescence. Laser cleaning is particularly effective compared to pressure washing for heritage facades where water infiltration is a concern. Handmade and soft-fired bricks have lower damage thresholds than engineering brick.

Common in Victorian and Edwardian facade restoration. Test patches mandatory — brick composition varies widely by era and source.

Lime mortar (pre-1900 buildings) is much softer than Portland cement mortar and requires lower fluence. Portland cement mortar tolerates higher fluence. Primary use is facade cleaning where joint soiling is prominent. Avoid directing beam parallel to joint — can cause undercutting.

⚠ Wood laser cleaning at 1064 nm is technically feasible but poorly characterized compared to CO₂ (10.6 µm) or UV (355 nm) wavelengths, which are more efficiently absorbed. Process window varies significantly with grain direction, moisture content, and species. Risk of scorching adjacent clean wood. Fume extraction mandatory — wood smoke contains carcinogenic PAHs. Test extensively before any heritage or production work.

Primary application is selective removal of surface char from fire-damaged structural timber or decorative woodwork for conservation assessment. Low fluence, multiple passes preferred. Not suitable for general wood cleaning — mechanical or chemical methods typically more appropriate.

⚠ Lead paint requires mandatory hazmat protocols regardless of removal method. Laser removal of lead paint generates fumes; HEPA filtration and supplied-air respirator required. Confirm paint composition before starting work.

Laser paint stripping from wood is used in conservation (window frames, decorative millwork, historic structures) where chemical stripping would raise moisture content or mechanical scraping would damage profiled surfaces. 1064 nm absorption by wood is low — paint layer absorbs most energy. CO₂ laser (10.6 µm) achieves better selectivity for paint-on-wood.

Primary application: removal of built-up edge (BUE), oxidation scale, or PVD/CVD coatings from cutting tools and wear parts for reconditioning. High-energy Q-switched preferred for thick scale. MOPA effective for light oxidation or thin coatings. Cobalt binder has lower damage threshold than WC grains — avoid excessive fluence which preferentially ablates binder, weakening the composite.

Dense alumina ceramics (>95% purity) tolerate high fluence without substrate damage. Common applications: cleaning of alumina kiln furniture, semiconductor process components, and electrical insulators. Porous or lower-density alumina has reduced damage threshold — verify density before processing.

SiC absorbs 1064 nm via free-carrier absorption and defect states. Primary applications: semiconductor wafer carriers, mechanical seals, kiln furniture, and abrasive grinding wheels. SiC oxidizes to SiO₂ at high temperature — laser cleaning removes this SiO₂ oxide scale effectively. Reaction-bonded SiC (RB-SiC) has lower damage threshold than sintered α-SiC due to residual silicon inclusions.

⚠ Carbon fiber dust is electrically conductive and a respiratory hazard. Fume extraction with HEPA filtration mandatory. Carbon fiber dust can cause short circuits in nearby electronics. Resin fumes contain carcinogens (epoxy decomposition products). Full PPE required.

Primary application is surface preparation for adhesive bonding and paint adhesion on aerospace structures, replacing chemical etching or abrasive blasting. Laser cleaning removes mold release agents, oxidized resin, and atmospheric contamination without fiber damage at low fluence (0.3–0.8 J/cm²). Above 1.5 J/cm², resin matrix begins to ablate — acceptable for intentional surface texturing but not for bond prep. MOPA at low frequency preferred for controlled shallow ablation.

⚠ Glass fiber dust is a respiratory irritant. Fume extraction required. Resin decomposition products are hazardous — adequate ventilation mandatory. Avoid laser cleaning near fuel systems or sealed compartments.

Applications include marine vessel hull preparation, wind turbine blade maintenance, and automotive body panel prep. Gel coat removal is the most common use — the gel coat ablates at lower fluence than the underlying glass/resin composite. Key advantage over mechanical methods: no fiber damage, no abrasive contamination of the surface. MOPA preferred for gel coat removal; CW effective for large-area decontamination.