Stripping of PFA Fluoropolymer Coatings Using a Nd:YAG Laser (Q-Switch) and an Yb Fiber Laser (CW)

• DOI: 10.3390/polym11111738
• Publication Date: 2019-10-25T08:41:27Z
• Authors: Guillermo Guerrer...; Óscar Rodríguez-A...; Pablo E. Romero; Carlos Soriano; Esther Molero; Jon Lambarri
• Keywords: Stripping (fiber)

Fluoropolymers such as PFA are used coatings for the protection of metal substrates due to their high chemical inertia and non-stick properties. These "wear tear" they degrade, at which point should be removed a new application. The removal these types coating by laser is interest process's flexibility, precision, ease automation, environmental sustainability. efficiency procedure was shown with use source in pulsed Nd:YAG continuous mode fiber (Yb). rates stripping (cm2/min) fluence (J/cm2) were analyzed related power sources. Variations substrate after studied: roughness hardness. properties coating, thickness, roughness, water sliding angle, microhardness also evaluated. It concluded that more efficient than laser; fluoropolymers has strong relationship reflectivity, mechanical surface remained virtually unchanged.