FDA
FDA 21 CFR 1040.10 - Laser Product Performance Standards
Todd DunningMAUnited States
Optical Materials for Laser SystemsPublished
Dec 10, 2025
Aluminum Nitride Laser Cleaning
When laser cleaning Aluminum Nitride, I've seen it hold up remarkably well under intense heat thanks to its superior thermal stability and insulating qualities, so watch for any potential surface cracking from uneven exposure
Laser-Material Interaction
Thermal Destruction
2,473
K
273
2,473
3,900
Laser Absorption
0.15
0.35
0.15
2,625
Laser Damage Threshold
12.5
J/cm²
1.6
12.5
20.9
Ablation Threshold
2.1
J/cm²
0.57
2.1
4
Thermal Diffusivity
8.5e-5
m²/s
1e-6
8.5e-5
7.3e-5
Thermal Expansion
4.5e-6
K^{-1}
3e-6
4.5e-6
1.1e-5
Specific Heat
740
J/(kg·K)
250
740
2,500
Thermal Conductivity
170
W/m·K
1.4
170
127
Laser Reflectivity
0.23
0.05
0.23
0.4
Aluminum Nitride Laser Cleaning Material Characteristics
Density
3.3
g/cm³
1.7
3.3
16.3
Porosity
0
%
0
0
30
Surface Roughness
0.5
μm
0
0.5
1
Tensile Strength
300
MPa
5
300
600
Youngs Modulus
310
GPa
40
310
679
Hardness
12
GPa
6.7
12
3,150
Flexural Strength
350
MPa
45.6
350
1,153
Oxidation Resistance
20
μm/year
0
20
2,310
Corrosion Resistance
0.78
mm/year
0
0.78
262
Compressive Strength
300
MPa
95
300
4,090
Fracture Toughness
18
MPa m^{1/2}
0.56
18
5.7
Electrical Resistivity
1e13
Ω·m
0
1e13
1e14
Aluminum Nitride surface magnification
Before Treatment
At 1000x magnification, the contaminated aluminum nitride surface reveals clusters of dark particles scattered unevenly across the field. Fine debris clings to edges and fills shallow crevices, creating a mottled appearance that obscures the underlying structure. This buildup disrupts the overall smoothness and hides natural grain boundaries.
After Treatment
After laser treatment, the same surface displays a uniform, clean texture free from any visible residues. The process exposes clear, even facets that reflect light consistently throughout the view. Now the material
Regulatory Standards & Compliance
ANSI
ANSI Z136.1 - Safe Use of Lasers
Aluminum Nitride Laser Cleaning Laser Cleaning FAQs
Q: How does Aluminum Nitride compare to alumina in laser cleaning?
A: Aluminum Nitride cleans more efficiently than alumina due to its superior thermal conductivity. We've found that heat from the laser dissipates quickly across the surface. This reduces the risk of localized overheating during the process. In contrast, alumina tends to retain heat and develop cracks more easily. We typically adjust laser parameters lower for Aluminum Nitrite to preserve its integrity.
Q: What challenges arise when laser cleaning porous Aluminum Nitride substrates?
A: Aluminum Nitride features low porosity, which simplifies laser cleaning compared to more absorbent ceramics. The laser removes contaminants without deep penetration into the material structure. We've observed that surface residues lift cleanly under controlled pulses. This approach restores the original smoothness effectively. However, excessive power can still cause micro-fractures if not monitored.
Q: Can laser cleaning improve the thermal performance of used Aluminum Nitride components?
A: Laser cleaning effectively removes oxidation layers from Aluminum Nitride to restore its heat transfer properties.
Related Ceramic › Technical Materials
Aluminum Nitride Laser Cleaning Dataset Download
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