Laser surface cleaning, de-rusting, de-painting and de-oxidizing

Abstract

Many materials have been tested as substrates and surface products. Typically ferrous (Carbon Steels and Stainless Steels) and non-ferrous (Al and Cu metals and its alloys) materials have been employed. Some epoxy, polyurethane, polyester and acrylic paints with different thickness and colour have been tested. Many types of surface rust and oxide on different bulk material have been undertaken to test. Similarly, some different types of oils and greases commonly used in industry to prevent oxidation, have been studied. Different types of laser sources have been employed: an axial fast flow, 1.5 kW CO2 c.w. and pulsed laser source emitting a 10.6 μm beam; and a portable Nd:YAG laser, Q-switchedand normal-mode source: 1st harmonic 1.064 μm (6 ns pulse duration), 2nd harmonic 532 nm (120 μs duration pulse, 1 J max per pulse) wavelengths, multi-articulated seven mirror beam guiding device, 20 Hz repetition rate. This provides shots with 600 mJ maximum energy per pulse and 100 MW peak power per pulse with very low beam divergence: 0.5 mrad at full angle.