Alessandro MorettiPh.D.Italy
Laser-Based Additive ManufacturingPublished
Dec 10, 2025
Boron Nitride Laser Cleaning
The key with Boron Nitride lies in its exceptional heat resistance and electrical insulation, letting us handle extreme temperatures in industrial tools without risking breakdowns or conductivity issues
Laser-Material Interaction
Thermal Conductivity
29.3
W/m·K
1.4
29.3
127
Thermal Diffusivity
1.6e-5
m²/s
1e-6
1.6e-5
7.3e-5
Thermal Destruction
3,273
K
273
3,273
3,900
Laser Damage Threshold
15.2
J/cm²
1.6
15.2
20.9
Laser Absorption
2.5e4
m^{-1}
0.35
2.5e4
2,625
Ablation Threshold
1.2
J/cm²
0.57
1.2
4
Thermal Expansion
2e-6
K^{-1}
3e-6
2e-6
1.1e-5
Laser Reflectivity
0.92
0.05
0.92
0.4
Specific Heat
795
J/(kg·K)
250
795
2,500
Boron Nitride Laser Cleaning Material Characteristics
Compressive Strength
414
MPa
95
414
4,090
Fracture Toughness
3.5
MPa√m
0.56
3.5
5.7
Electrical Resistivity
1e12
Ω·m
0
1e12
1e14
Corrosion Resistance
0.98
dimensionless (normalized resistance scale 0-1)
0
0.98
262
Tensile Strength
38
MPa
5
38
600
Porosity
0.5
%
0
0.5
30
Oxidation Resistance
1,173
K
0
1,173
2,310
Youngs Modulus
70
GPa
40
70
679
Flexural Strength
70
MPa
45.6
70
1,153
Density
2.3
g/cm³
1.7
2.3
16.3
Hardness
48
GPa
6.7
48
3,150
Boron Nitride surface magnification
Before Treatment
When laser cleaning boron nitride, we've found the contaminated surface shows heavy buildup of irregular debris. Dark patches scatter across the uneven texture, trapping fine particles that dull the overall sheen. This layer hides the material's natural smoothness, making it look worn and inconsistent.
After Treatment
After treatment, the surface reveals a uniform, glossy finish free from those clinging residues. Clean facets emerge brightly, restoring the inherent polish without any lingering spots. We've seen this brings back clarity, but watch for overexposure to avoid subtle
Boron Nitride Laser Cleaning Laser Cleaning FAQs
Q: How do I safely laser clean Boron Nitride without causing damage?
A: You must watch out for its high reflectivity right from the start, as it bounces most laser energy away. This means you should use a pulsed laser at lower power to avoid overheating spots that could crack the surface. Start with short bursts and scan slowly to let its good heat spreading keep things even. Compared to metals that absorb more, Boron Nitride stays cooler overall, so you get cleaner results without much risk if you adjust properly.
Q: Why is Boron Nitride harder to clean with lasers than other ceramics?
A: Make sure you account for its extremely high reflectivity when setting up, or the laser might not touch the contaminants at all. Unlike softer ceramics that absorb energy easily and clean fast, Boron Nitride reflects almost everything, so you need higher intensities to break through. This difference means longer sessions, but its strong heat resistance prevents melting or warping. You should test on a small area
Related Ceramic › Technical Materials
Boron Nitride Laser Cleaning Dataset Download
License: Creative Commons BY 4.0 • Free to use with attribution •Learn more
