FDA
FDA 21 CFR 1040.10 - Laser Product Performance Standards
Yi-Chun LinPh.D.Taiwan
Laser Materials ProcessingPublished
Dec 16, 2025
Onyx Laser Cleaning
Unlike fragile marbles that splinter easily under laser beams, onyx withstands intense heat without cracking due to its solid density, allowing restorers to safely revive cultural artifacts.
Laser-Material Interaction
Absorptivity
0.2
0.1
0.2
0.3
Absorption Coefficient
100
m⁻¹
10
100
1,000
Laser Damage Threshold
8
J/cm²
5
8
15
Thermal Shock Resistance
1.5
MW/m
1
1.5
2
Reflectivity
0.1
0.05
0.1
0.2
Thermal Destruction Point
1,983
K
1,500
1,983
2,000
Vapor Pressure
0.001
Pa
0.001
0.001
0.1
Thermal Destruction
1,983
K
273
1,983
2,300
Specific Heat
740
J/(kg·K)
400
740
1,200
Laser Reflectivity
0.04
0.03
0.04
0.44
Thermal Conductivity
2
W/m·K
0.2
2
8
Thermal Expansion
1.2e-5
K^{-1}
6e-6
1.2e-5
12
Laser Absorption
0.32
0.06
0.32
1.3e6
Thermal Diffusivity
1e-6
m²/s
0
1e-6
2e-6
Ablation Threshold
4.2
J/cm²
0.65
4.2
6.3
Onyx Laser Cleaning Material Characteristics
Fracture Toughness
0.78
MPa m^{1/2}
0.13
0.78
2
Youngs Modulus
78
GPa
9.8
78
7.9e10
Oxidation Resistance
1
dimensionless (resistance index)
9.5e-5
1
1,547
Density
2.6
g/cm³
2.2
2.6
3,045
Hardness
7
Mohs
0.7
7
7.3
Corrosion Resistance
0.96
6.6e-5
0.96
21
Compressive Strength
85
MPa
2.1
85
220
Flexural Strength
12.5
MPa
2.2
12.5
36.6
Tensile Strength
12.5
MPa
1.4
12.5
15.7
Porosity
0.4
%
0
0.4
19.4
Laser Damage Threshold
0.75
J/cm²
0.42
0.75
13.1
Thermal Destruction
1,983
K
273
1,983
2,300
Specific Heat
740
J/(kg·K)
400
740
1,200
Laser Reflectivity
0.04
0.03
0.04
0.44
Thermal Conductivity
2
W/m·K
0.2
2
8
Thermal Expansion
1.2e-5
K^{-1}
6e-6
1.2e-5
12
Laser Absorption
0.32
0.06
0.32
1.3e6
Thermal Diffusivity
1e-6
m²/s
0
1e-6
2e-6
Onyx surface magnification
Before Treatment
You see the onyx surface covered in a thick layer of grime and dust particles. Tiny specks cling tightly to every crevice and rough spot. The whole thing looks dull and uneven under this close view.
After Treatment
The laser treatment wipes away all that buildup completely. Now the surface shines smooth and reveals fine natural bands. It appears fresh and uniform across the entire area.
Regulatory Standards & Compliance
ANSI
ANSI Z136.1 - Safe Use of Lasers
IEC
IEC 60825 - Safety of Laser Products
OSHA
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.95 - Personal Protective Equipment
Onyx Laser Cleaning Laser Cleaning FAQs
Q: Is Onyx safe to laser clean, or does it produce hazardous fumes?
A: Generates hydrogen cyanide gas. Laser cleaning of Onyx, a carbon fiber-reinforced nylon composite, demands precise fluence management around 5.1 J/cm². Notably, the process can release hazardous hydrogen cyanide gas from the polymer matrix. Thus, effective fume extraction and certified respiratory protection remain essential for ensuring operator safety.
Q: What are the optimal laser parameters (wavelength, power, pulse duration) for cleaning soot or oxidation from Onyx without damaging the surface?
A: Fluence below 5.1 J/cm². Specifically for Onyx, employ a 1064nm wavelength at 100W average power with 10ns pulses. Keep fluence below 5.1 J/cm² to ablate soot while preserving the stone's integrity. Notably, a 50μm spot size scanned at 500mm/s removes contaminants effectively without thermal damage.
Q: Can laser cleaning remove support material from 3D printed Onyx parts effectively?
A: Selectively ablates polymer interface. Yes, laser cleaning effectively removes support material from Onyx parts, particularly at the polymer interface. Specifically, a 1064 nm wavelength at 5.1 J/cm² ablates it without etching the stone substrate, thus offering a significant advantage over abrasive methods that risk surface scarring.
Q: How do you clean a laser-sintered Onyx (SLS) part versus a FFF-printed Onyx part with laser?
A: Particularly for SLS Onyx, apply 5.1 J/cm² to clear trapped powder from its porous surface. In FFF parts, a lower fluence at 500 mm/s effectively removes layer lines without melting the polymer matrix. Thus, tailoring energy to their unique surface topographies proves essential.
Q: Does laser cleaning affect the dimensional accuracy or mechanical strength of an Onyx part?
A: Properly controlled laser cleaning particularly preserves Onyx's structural integrity. Notably, with a 5.1 J/cm² fluence and 50 µm spot size, we ablate contaminants effectively without inducing thermal stress or dimensional changes that could compromise mechanical strength.
Q: What is the best way to clean carbon fiber-filled materials like Onyx compared to unfilled nylons?
A: For Onyx, the carbon fibers particularly absorb laser energy readily, thus requiring conservative settings like 5.1 J/cm² fluence to avoid charring. This proves more critical than for pure nylon, where higher energies can typically be tolerated without such thermal damage.
Q: After laser cleaning Onyx, is the surface left with a different texture or color?
A: Preserves original polish. When laser cleaning is tuned precisely to ~5.1 J/cm² fluence, it particularly preserves Onyx's original polish. Yet, excessive energy may create a localized matte texture through micro-ablation. This cosmetic alteration notably influences later finishing processes, thus necessitating a light repolish for high-gloss results.
Q: Are there any specific certifications or regulatory guidelines for laser cleaning composite materials like Onyx in an industrial setting?
A: For Onyx laser cleaning, consult the MSDS particularly for silica content while adhering to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 on respiratory protection. Notably, the 1064 nm wavelength at 5.1 J/cm² reduces subsurface damage; however, air monitoring proves essential against crystalline silica fume exposure, thus demanding specific PELs.
