Abstract
Cleaning with laser light has become a popular technique for the removal of unwanted surface layers. It provides numerous benefits compared to conventional cleaning methods, such as avoiding the use of abrasives and chemicals and eliminating problems of corrosive residues and loss of surface detail. Conventional pulse lasers are the most widely used, and already commercially available, with portable units deployable on-site. However, those lasers rely on thermal mechanisms of ablation, which generate heat and shock waves that can result in undesirable side-effects such as melting, formation of cracks, exfoliation of flakes from the surface, and annealing/softening of thinner sections of the bulk material. Here we explore an alternative heat-free femtosecond laser cleaning technique based on powerful ultrashort pulse lasers. We discuss the capability of the technique, illustrating the significant advantages of femtosecond pulse lasers in removal of old paint and rust without alteration of underlying structure, and discuss the development of a portable femtosecond laser cleaning unit for the maintenance and preservation of large-scale assets around the world using Sydney Harbour Bridge as a real-world field test.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | IABSE Congress, New Delhi 2023 |
| Subtitle of host publication | Engineering for Sustainable Development, Report |
| Place of Publication | Red Hook, NY |
| Publisher | Curran Associates, Inc. |
| Chapter | 32 |
| Pages | 347-355 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Volume | 1 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-1-71388-312-8, 978-3-85748-200-7 |
| Publication status | Published - 2023 |
| Event | 23rd IABSE Congress New Delhi 2023: Engineering for Sustainable Development - New Delhi, India Duration: 20 Sept 2023 → 22 Sept 2023 https://iabse.org/Sys/Store/Products/348317 https://www.proceedings.com/content/071/071613webtoc.pdf |
Conference
| Conference | 23rd IABSE Congress New Delhi 2023: Engineering for Sustainable Development |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | India |
| City | New Delhi |
| Period | 20/09/23 → 22/09/23 |
| Other | IABSE Congress New Delhi 2023 Engineering for Sustainable Development As the world population grows and the impact of climate change becomes more severe, the demand for sustainable buildings and infrastructure has also increased. Moreover, durable and resilient structures are crucial aspects of sustainable construction. The resilient and durable structures which can withstand the vagaries of natural disasters reduce the need for frequent interventions of repairs and replacements, thereby reducing the resources required for maintenance. To crystalise the way forward in the construction industry, The Indian National Group of The International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (ING-IABSE) has hosted this International Congress, on the theme “Engineering for Sustainable Development” in New Delhi on September 20-22, 2023. |
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