The application of laser cleaning mainly stems from the need for a non-toxic, non-abrasive cleaning method on the market. This method can be used as an alternative to the previously used chemical cleaning, manual cleaning and abrasive jet cleaning methods. The following are examples of laser cleaning applications:
1. Surface polishing and rust removal in steel manufacturing
1) Metal is easy to rust when exposed to humid environment. This rust will reduce the quality of the metal.
2) On the other hand, due to the heat treatment process, an oxide layer will be formed on the metal surface, and the oxide layer will discolor the metal surface, thus hindering subsequent finishing operations.
2. Clean the anode components
1) The presence of dirt and other contaminants will increase the resistance of the anode, resulting in more power loss.
2) The presence of pollutants also shortens the life of the anode by increasing the consumption rate of the anode in the smelting process.
3. Prepare for metal bonding
1) In order to improve process stability, surface adhesion and better welding quality, the surface of the metal material to be connected must be prepared before welding and other connection technologies are applied.
2) If the surface of the metal material is not cleaned, the joints and joints are prone to degradation, aggravation and even catastrophic failure.
4. Pretreatment for brazing and welding
1) It helps to remove ferrous and non-ferrous metals, lubricants and other contaminants on the surface of metal and aluminum to prepare for high-quality welding.
2) It also ensures smooth and non-porous brazing seams.
5. Partially remove the coating
1) It can be used on almost all surface types, whether it is chemical anodized layer, oxide layer or organic coating.
2) Laser cleaning can remove coatings and paints in automobiles and other industries while maintaining the integrity of the substrate material.
6. Selective paint removal
The use of lasers for polishing, surface cleaning and coating removal applications is rapidly expanding. Depending on the application, the pulse frequency, energy, and wavelength of the laser must be precisely selected to clean, polish, and ablate the target material. At the same time, it is necessary to prevent any form of damage to the base material. At present, laser cleaning technology is mainly used to clean small parts. Of course, this technology is also very likely to be suitable for cleaning large-area surfaces and large equipment/structures. With the current progress in this field, these visions are expected to become a reality in the near future.