Niobium Laser Cleaning Settings

When laser cleaning niobium, you must first watch its high reflectivity, which scatters more laser energy than you'd see with iron-based metals, so start with lower power settings to prevent wasted shots and uneven cleaning. Make sure you adjust the fluence just above its ablation threshold right away, avoiding the pitfall of underpowering that leaves stubborn contaminants behind while risking surface pitting if you overshoot. Begin your setup by selecting a near-infrared wavelength that niobium absorbs better than shorter ones, unlike aluminum's picky response. You'll then dial in a moderate pulse width to handle its dense structure without building excess heat, contrasting with lighter non-ferrous metals that cool faster. Scan at a steady speed, overlapping passes by half to clear oxides thoroughly, since niobium's corrosion resistance means buildup clings tighter than on copper. This approach brings back its smooth finish for aerospace or medical uses, minimizing thermal shock that could crack it under rapid heating. Keep passes to a few, and always test on a scrap piece first—niobium forgives minor errors better than brittle alloys but demands precision to avoid dulling its natural luster.