Laser cleaning is a method that uses laser energy to remove layers of material from surfaces selectively.
Its principle relies on the high energy density of lasers, allowing the laser to interact with contaminants adhered to the substrate of the workpiece. This interaction causes the pollutants to rapidly heat, expand, melt, and vaporize, effectively separating them from the substrate without causing damage to it.
The cleaning process can be summarized into three categories: vaporization, impact, and oscillation.
Vaporization Process:
When high-energy lasers strike the surface of items, the surface absorbs the laser energy and rapidly heats up. Once the temperature exceeds the vaporization point, contaminants are removed as vapor. Because contaminants have a higher absorption rate of laser energy than the substrate, they vaporize first. The substrate, with a lower absorption rate and higher scattering, experiences minimal temperature change, thus avoiding damage. This characteristic is often used for cleaning stone surfaces.
Impact Process:
During the interaction between the laser and the material, a series of reactions generate shock waves on the surface. These shock waves cause the surface contaminants to fracture, transforming them into dust or debris that is then removed from the surface.
Oscillation Process:
Under short-pulse laser irradiation, the surface contaminants and the substrate undergo high-frequency thermal expansion and contraction to varying degrees, generating oscillations that cause the contaminants to detach from the material's surface.
Vaporization Process:
When high-energy lasers strike the surface of items, the surface absorbs the laser energy and rapidly heats up. Once the temperature exceeds the vaporization point, contaminants are removed as vapor. Because contaminants have a higher absorption rate of laser energy than the substrate, they vaporize first. The substrate, with a lower absorption rate and higher scattering, experiences minimal temperature change, thus avoiding damage. This characteristic is often used for cleaning stone surfaces.
Impact Process:
During the interaction between the laser and the material, a series of reactions generate shock waves on the surface. These shock waves cause the surface contaminants to fracture, transforming them into dust or debris that is then removed from the surface.
Oscillation Process:
Under short-pulse laser irradiation, the surface contaminants and the substrate undergo high-frequency thermal expansion and contraction to varying degrees, generating oscillations that cause the contaminants to detach from the material's surface.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Laser Cleaning?
Advantages of Laser Cleaning:
1.Non-Contact
Laser cleaning is a remote operation that can be performed from several feet or even inches away, making the process more flexible and preventing surface damage that can occur with contact methods. Laser cleaning allows users to target only the contaminants (such as rust and paint) without affecting the underlying material.
2.No Consumption, Eco-Friendly
Laser cleaning does not require any chemical products or solvents and does not produce chemical waste. Operators do not need protective equipment, making it very safe during operation.
3.Precision and Control
Laser cleaning can adjust scanning speed and laser intensity, providing exceptional control for complex cleaning tasks.
4.Speed
The scanning speed of laser cleaning can reach up to 10 m/s, significantly enhancing cleaning efficiency.
Laser cleaning is a remote operation that can be performed from several feet or even inches away, making the process more flexible and preventing surface damage that can occur with contact methods. Laser cleaning allows users to target only the contaminants (such as rust and paint) without affecting the underlying material.
2.No Consumption, Eco-Friendly
Laser cleaning does not require any chemical products or solvents and does not produce chemical waste. Operators do not need protective equipment, making it very safe during operation.
3.Precision and Control
Laser cleaning can adjust scanning speed and laser intensity, providing exceptional control for complex cleaning tasks.
4.Speed
The scanning speed of laser cleaning can reach up to 10 m/s, significantly enhancing cleaning efficiency.
Disadvantages of Laser Cleaning:
1.High Equipment Cost
Compared to traditional cleaning equipment, laser cleaning devices are expensive.
2.Poor Performance on Highly Reflective Materials
The effectiveness of laser cleaning is reduced when dealing with highly reflective materials.
3.Line of Sight Requirement
For laser cleaning to be effective, the device must have a clear line of sight to the surface that needs cleaning, making it challenging to set up in certain applications.
Compared to traditional cleaning equipment, laser cleaning devices are expensive.
2.Poor Performance on Highly Reflective Materials
The effectiveness of laser cleaning is reduced when dealing with highly reflective materials.
3.Line of Sight Requirement
For laser cleaning to be effective, the device must have a clear line of sight to the surface that needs cleaning, making it challenging to set up in certain applications.
Laser Cleaning Application
Fiber laser cleaning machines are employed to clean various materials, including metals and ceramics. They utilize a highly focused beam of light to effectively remove contaminants such as oil, dust, rust, paint, and electrolytes. Due to their precision, efficiency, and eco-friendliness, these machines are widely used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and medical.
