Laser Cleaning Stainless Steel: Everything You Need to Know

Stainless steel is used for a variety of purposes. You need it in your kitchen, in your workshops, or factories. Also, using stainless steel parts in hospitals is very common since they are corrosion-resistant. However, your stainless-steel part may get dirty for various reasons. Whatever the reason, choosing the correct cleaning method is crucial. In this case, laser-cleaning stainless steel is one of the popular ones.

Stainless steel has chromium in its chemical structure. This chromium typically creates a chromium oxide layer on top of the surface, which works against corrosion. That’s why stainless steel is used in many applications. But it may still corrode, especially in saltwater situations like the sea. The stainless-steel parts of the boats may corrode due to these extreme conditions.

Also, stainless steel parts in manufacturing get dirt or oil over time. In medical, you need to disinfect stainless steel parts before every operation.

Laser cleaning is ideal for various reasons. This article will explain those benefits, especially by discussing its various uses. This will help you understand the importance of using laser cleaning for stainless steel.

What is Laser Cleaning Stainless Steel?

Laser cleaning stainless steel removes contaminants, corrosion, and coatings. The purpose is similar to other cleaning methods, but the medium differs. Sandblasting uses sand, dry blasting uses dry ice, and chemical cleaning uses chemicals. Laser cleaning uses a highly focused laser beam.

Laser cleaning stainless steel uses a concentrated laser beam to clean dirt from stainless steel. The high-energy laser pulses hit the stainless steel, heating and breaking up unwanted particles on its surface. These particles then vaporize, revealing clean, bright metal beneath. It’s fast, efficient, and very effective.

The best thing about laser cleaning is its versatility. You can clean from tiny electronic parts to large industrial machinery. Accuracy is another bonus. This tool only removes what needs to be removed, leaving the rest in perfect condition. So, laser cleaning is a top choice if you need to bring out the shine or prep a part for welding. 

Effect of Laser Cleaning on Stainless Steel

Laser cleaning with other metals and stainless steel is quite different. The main reason behind this is the presence of chromium. Stainless steel usually has a protective oxide layer because it has chromium. This chrome oxide film is naturally shiny and won’t rust.

This reflective quality changes how the laser works when cleaning stainless steel. Because of this, the laser settings for stainless steel need to be carefully monitored and set up correctly. When the focused laser beam hits the material, the area quickly encounters a sudden temperature rise. It quickly melts and evaporates the contaminants. The same thing happens again when the laser moves to the following location. This way, stainless steel is cleaned.

Because stainless steel is shiny, the laser settings are critical. These days, most laser cleaners have options that work independently. The process is the same, but you must choose the correct laser settings before cleaning it.

Popular Uses of Laser Cleaning Stainless Steel

Laser cleaning is widely prevalent in many sectors. People in the modern world prefer this method over other old ways. This huge demand is typically noticeable in the working, medical, and manufacturing industries. Laser cleaning is the best way of cleaning stainless steel. In this section, you’ll learn some popular uses of this method.

Laser Oxide Removal from SS Weld Joints

Welded stainless steel joints often develop a layer of oxide. This is quite normal. However, if you leave it untreated, several problems might appear. For instance, you can see corrosion or weaker weld. In this case, laser cleaning stainless steel helps a lot.

A laser cleaning machine can effectively remove laser oxide from SS weld joints. You can only clean the laser oxide layers without harming the base metal. Technically, you won’t find this feature in other cleaning techniques. Laser oxide removal from stainless steel weld joints has several benefits.

(1) Laser cleaning preserves the strength and appearance of the SS part weld. It is a non-contact process that doesn’t affect the weld joint quality.

(2) Laser cleaning stainless steel is exact and controlled. The best part is that you can change the laser settings based on different oxide layers. This level of accuracy usually lowers the risk of damaging the base material.

(3) Laser oxide removal from ss weld joints improves the bond and overall weld quality. Therefore, people in the auto industry like to use laser-cleaning stainless steel. 

(4) Laser cleaning stainless steel always offers consistent oxide removal results. You don’t have to worry about further cleaning.

(5) Laser oxide removal produces a clean, polished finish on weld joints. As a result, you can ensure a good look at your stainless-steel parts.

Laser Paint Removal from Stainless Steel Parts

Even though stainless steel doesn’t rust, it can still happen. It usually occurs in extreme conditions. The best example is the marine environment. As you know, salt water and moisture are regular cases here. Parts of stainless steel that come into touch with these things will rust over time.

Paint typically protects stainless steel surfaces and gives them a good look. However, you may need to remove the paint or prepare the area for a new coat.

laser paint stripping machines

There are several ways of removing the paint, but the main part is choosing the best one. In older days, people used grinding or chemicals to clean the stainless steel parts. These methods are usually messy and require much work. In the modern world, things have changed. Laser cleaning, which appeared in the 20th century, offers fast, safe, and accurate cleaning.

The laser paint removal process is the same as the other cleaning methods. The focused laser beam hits the material surface and vaporizes the paint. During the whole process, it doesn’t affect the stainless steel underneath. This procedure is quite effective in removing previous paint coats.

Laser cleaning does not generate waste or emit toxic chemicals. So, you can say that laser cleaning is an environmentally friendly method. One of the best parts of laser cleaning stainless steel is its ability to clean complex metal parts. Therefore, all complex stainless steel parts can be cleaned with laser cleaning.

Pre-treatment for coating or welding

Pre-treatment is a critical process before applying a coat to stainless steel. This process generally prepares the stainless steel surface for coating. As you know, contaminants on the surface may interfere with the quality and durability of the coating. Therefore, pre-treatment processes must be considered.

You can use the laser cleaning stainless steel method for this job. Laser cleaning uses a highly focused laser beam that hits the material surface to melt and vaporize contaminants. Then, it leaves your stainless steel part surface pristine. This pre-treated surface typically improves coating adhesion or weld quality.

As everyone knows, stainless steel is shiny and very resistant to corrosion. This means that this metal can reflect some of the laser energy. You may not get the best result if your laser wavelength is inappropriate. So, always stick to the proper laser frequency when cleaning stainless parts. You can get help from professionals for this.

laser cleaning machine factory

Laser Rust Cleaning on Stainless Steel

As mentioned, stainless steel is excellent at avoiding corrosion. Because of this, it is widely used in food processing, medical, and auto parts. However, it still faces problems in harsh environments.

After all, rust is the archenemy of any metal. Rust on stainless steel is sometimes challenging to manage. Traditional methods like sandblasting or grinding can not offer the best results. You could also try chemical cleaning, but it is not environmentally friendly.

Laser rust cleaning is the most appropriate method in this case. It is practical and doesn’t harm the underlying base metal or the environment.

laser cleaning machine real shot

A Laser cleaning machine is typically designed to remove rust layer by layer. If the rust is thicker than usual, multiple passes might be needed during cleaning. When you laser clean stainless steel, the rust is vaporized, and you can see clean and corrosion-free stainless steel. 

The best part of laser cleaning stainless steel is that no chemical is needed, so there are no waste or abrasive materials. This method is used extensively in building, shipping, and the marine industry. 

Laser Cleaning for Various Equipment Cleaning

Stainless steel is used to make many medical and industrial tools and machines. These tools and machines gather dust or oils over time, which creates many problems. Because of this, they must be cleaned periodically. In hospitals, every piece of medical equipment must be cleaned before operation. Old-fashioned methods take a long time and don’t work well.

Laser-cleaning stainless steel allows you to make it faster and more efficient. This method is ideal for cleaning all-purpose residues, oils, or chemicals.

laser cleaning machine for remove oxide layer effect

(1) Some stainless steel equipment might be thin and fragile. Cleaning with sandblasting or grinding is not a suitable option. Chemical cleaning is messy and not environmentally friendly. Laser-cleaning stainless steel is the best option in this case.

(2) Lasers can reach any surface, even those with complex shapes. Employing laser cleaning enables you to work with a wide range of equipment and tools of any size and design.

(3) Laser-cleaning stainless steel needs no extra labor. Because of this, you can save considerable investment on your project.

(4) Since laser cleaning doesn’t require consumables, it offers a cheap operation cost. Although the initial cost might be higher, you can enjoy a cost-effective solution in the long run.

Get in Touch with Us!

Hanten CNC is a leading manufacturer of various laser cleaning equipment. You can choose from various models from our store for laser cleaning stainless steel. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our customer service.