FDA
FDA 21 CFR 1040.10 - Laser Product Performance Standards
Alessandro MorettiPh.D.Italy
Laser-Based Additive ManufacturingPublished
Dec 16, 2025
Pyrex Laser Cleaning
When laser cleaning Pyrex, watch out for thermal shock right from the start—its low expansion under heat sets it apart from ordinary glass, letting you ramp up the process safely without risking cracks and restoring labware efficiently for repeated scientific use
Laser-Material Interaction
Absorptivity
0.05
0.01
0.05
0.1
Absorption Coefficient
50
m⁻¹
10
50
1,000
Laser Damage Threshold
10
J/cm²
5
10
20
Thermal Shock Resistance
2
MW/m
1
2
3
Reflectivity
0.08
0.04
0.08
0.1
Thermal Destruction Point
1,500
K
1,400
1,500
1,600
Vapor Pressure
0.01
Pa
0.001
0.01
0.1
Thermal Destruction
821
°C
638
821
2,426
Specific Heat
835
J/kg·K
120
835
900
Laser Reflectivity
0.04
fraction
0.03
0.04
3.8
Thermal Conductivity
1.1
W/m·K
0.77
1.1
36.7
Thermal Expansion
3.3e-6
K^{-1}
1e-6
3.3e-6
9.7
Laser Absorption
8.8
m^{-1}
0.01
8.8
7.4e4
Thermal Diffusivity
5.8e-7
m^2/s
0
5.8e-7
1e-5
Ablation Threshold
5.2
J/cm²
0.64
5.2
13.1
Pyrex Laser Cleaning Material Characteristics
Electrical Resistivity
1e12
Ω·m
9.5e9
1e12
1e16
Fracture Toughness
0.75
MPa√m
0.56
0.75
2.6
Youngs Modulus
63
GPa
60.8
63
6.1e10
Oxidation Resistance
500
°C
0
500
2,177
Density
2.2
g/cm³
2.1
2.2
2,625
Hardness
530
HV
4
530
2,310
Corrosion Resistance
0
mg/cm²/day
4.8e-5
0
1.6
Compressive Strength
1,000
MPa
620
1,000
2,170
Flexural Strength
69
MPa
10
69
780
Tensile Strength
70
MPa
7
70
733
Laser Damage Threshold
14.2
J/cm²
2.4
14.2
15.6
Thermal Destruction
821
°C
638
821
2,426
Specific Heat
835
J/kg·K
120
835
900
Laser Reflectivity
0.04
fraction
0.03
0.04
3.8
Thermal Conductivity
1.1
W/m·K
0.77
1.1
36.7
Thermal Expansion
3.3e-6
K^{-1}
1e-6
3.3e-6
9.7
Laser Absorption
8.8
m^{-1}
0.01
8.8
7.4e4
Thermal Diffusivity
5.8e-7
m^2/s
0
5.8e-7
1e-5
Ablation Threshold
5.2
J/cm²
0.64
5.2
13.1
Pyrex surface magnification
Before Treatment
You see the Pyrex surface rough and dotted with dark specks of grime.
Contaminants form thick, uneven layers that hide the underlying texture completely.
Scattered debris clings tightly, creating a cluttered and dull appearance overall.
After Treatment
After cleaning, the Pyrex surface appears smooth and free from any specks.
No layers of contaminants remain to obscure the natural glass texture.
The view shows a uniform, clear finish that gleams brightly throughout.
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
Pyrex Laser Cleaning Laser Cleaning FAQs
Q: What are the optimal laser parameters (wavelength, power, pulse duration) for cleaning contaminants from Pyrex without damaging the surface?
A: For cleaning Pyrex, opt for a notable 1064 nm wavelength at ~25 W average power with 100 ns pulses. It's essential to limit fluence below 2.5 J/cm², enabling selective removal of organics and particulates while avoiding substrate micro-cracking—given this wavelength's poor absorption in pristine glass. A 50 μm spot scanned at 500 mm/s yields distinct, effective, non-damaging results.
Q: Can laser cleaning create micro-fractures or induce thermal stress in Pyrex, and how can this be prevented?
A: Low fluence nanosecond pulses prevent. Indeed, Pyrex's low thermal expansion notably heightens its vulnerability to microfractures from excessive fluence. We counter this using nanosecond pulses at 2.5 J/cm² with a 50 μm spot size. Essential aids like a defocused beam or thin water film manage thermal stress, preserving your precision components' integrity.
Q: Is it safe to use a laser to remove labels, adhesives, or paint from Pyrex laboratory glassware?
A: Preserves optical clarity integrity. A well-configured laser cleaning setup at 1064 nm wavelength and 2.5 J/cm² fluence safely strips labels from Pyrex. Notably, this vaporizes adhesives without chemical residue, while preserving the material's essential optical clarity and structural integrity for lab use.
Q: How does laser cleaning affect the optical properties and surface roughness of Pyrex?
A: With laser cleaning calibrated precisely to 2.5 J/cm² fluence, Pyrex preserves its notable optical clarity. This essential method prevents surface hazing, curbs roughness shifts, and delivers high transmission alongside minimal light scattering for rigorous optical uses.
Q: What are the primary safety hazards when laser cleaning Pyrex, and what PPE is required?
A: Thermal shock above 2.5 J/cm². Thermal shock, notably from exceeding 2.5 J/cm², can shatter Pyrex. For the 1064 nm wavelength, IR-specific laser safety eyewear is essential. Hazardous glass and coating particulates demand a properly fitted respirator to prevent inhalation.
Q: Can laser cleaning be used to prepare a Pyrex surface for high-vacuum or thin-film deposition applications?
A: Activates surface without damage. Indeed, laser cleaning is essential for preparing Pyrex effectively in high-vacuum applications. A 1064 nm wavelength at ~2.5 J/cm² notably removes contaminants and activates the surface without subsurface damage, surpassing solvent methods for superior thin-film adhesion.
Q: Why is a pulsed fiber laser often recommended for cleaning Pyrex over a continuous-wave (CW) laser?
A: Prevents thermal shock susceptibility. Operating typically at a 1064 nm wavelength, pulsed fiber lasers deliver nanosecond pulses for precise thermal control. This method is essential to avoid heat diffusion into the Pyrex bulk, distinct in its vulnerability to thermal shock owing to low thermal conductivity under continuous-wave exposure.
Q: What is the best method to verify the effectiveness and safety of laser cleaning on Pyrex?
A: Inspect, interferometry, leak test. Begin by examining under 50× magnification to spot micro-cracks. For optics' critical flatness, it's essential to apply white-light interferometry, confirming surface roughness stays below 10 nm Ra. Lastly, perform a helium leak test to verify vacuum system integrity, ensuring the 2.5 J/cm² fluence left no notable compromise.
Q: How do you clean deeply embedded metallic stains or diffusion layers from Pyrex with a laser?
A: Multi-step below ablation threshold. To address deeply embedded metallic stains in Pyrex, a multi-step approach proves essential. We begin with a 1064 nm wavelength at 2.5 J/cm² fluence for distinct selective vaporization of the surface contaminant. A gentler follow-up pass then eliminates any residual diffusion layer, staying below the ablation threshold of the Pyrex substrate.
