Laser Rust Removal

Lasers used to ablate rust typically employ pulsed fiber lasers with power outputs ranging from 50 to 1000 watts, depending on the thickness and type of corrosion.

These lasers emit short pulses, often in the nanosecond to microsecond range, at wavelengths like 1064 nm.

The high peak power of these pulses—reaching several kilowatts—creates rapid localized heating that vaporizes rust without significantly transferring heat to the substrate, protecting the underlying material.

For instance, a 100-watt laser can effectively remove rust at rates up to 15 cm²/s, while higher-powered systems, like 1000-watt models, can clean larger areas more efficiently.

This precision makes laser rust removal ideal for applications in automotive, aerospace, and heritage conservation.