Last time we learned about the cleaning effects of pulsed laser cleaning machine and continuous laser cleaning machine under different materials.

Next, we will compare the cleaning effects from the macro and micro aspects.

1. Macro comparison

Figure 3 (1): Macro comparison of pulsed laser and continuous laser paint removal: left (3a), right (3b)

The result of pulsed laser cleaning of the aluminum alloy surface paint layer is shown in Figure 3a, and the result of continuous laser cleaning of the aluminum alloy surface paint layer is shown in Figure 3b. After cleaning with pulsed laser, the paint layer on the surface of the sample is completely removed, and the surface of the sample appears metallic white, and there is almost no damage to the substrate of the sample. After cleaning with continuous laser, the paint layer on the surface of the sample was completely removed, but the surface of the sample appeared gray-black, and the substrate of the sample also appeared micro-melting. Therefore, continuous laser is more likely to cause damage to the substrate than pulsed laser.

Figure 3 (2): Macroscopic comparison of pulsed laser and continuous laser paint removal: left (3c), right (3d)

The results of pulsed laser cleaning of the carbon steel surface paint layer are shown in Figure 3c, and the results of continuous laser cleaning of the carbon steel surface paint layer are shown in Figure 3d. After pulsed laser cleaning, the paint layer on the surface of the sample is completely removed, the surface of the sample appears gray-black, and the damage to the substrate of the sample is small. After cleaning with continuous laser cleaner, the paint layer on the surface of the sample is completely removed, but the surface of the sample is dark black, which can be seen directly that a large remelting phenomenon occurs on the surface of the sample. Therefore, continuous laser is more likely to cause damage to the substrate than pulsed laser.

2. Micro Comparison

Figure 4 (1): Microscopic comparison of the surface of the sample after pulsed laser and continuous laser paint removal, the left picture is (4a), the right picture is (4b)

From Figure 4(a), it can be seen that after using pulsed laser to clean the aluminum alloy surface paint, the paint on the surface of the sample has been completely removed, and the surface of the sample has little damage and no laser lines. Using continuous laser to clean the sample sheet, as shown in Figure 4(b), the paint has also been completely removed, but the surface of the sample has a serious remelting phenomenon and laser lines.

Figure 4 (2): Microscopic comparison of the surface of the sample after pulsed laser and continuous laser paint removal, the left picture is (4c), the right picture is (4d)

From Figure 4(c), it can be seen that after using pulsed laser to clean the surface paint of carbon steel, the paint on the surface of the sample has been completely removed, and the surface of the sample has little damage and the surface is relatively smooth after cleaning. The surface of the sample was cleaned with continuous laser as shown in Figure 4(d). The paint was also completely removed, but the surface of the sample was remelted seriously, and the surface of the sample was uneven.

In conclusion:

Continuous laser cleaning machine has fast cleaning speed, high power, and price advantage, but it will harm the base material. It is suitable for large-scale steel structures, pipelines, etc., and projects that do not require high substrate damage.

Pulse laser cleaning machine has high precision and no damage to the base material, but the higher the power, the more expensive it is. Suitable for cleaning molds, cultural relics, etc.