15 research outputs found
High power diode laser surface glazing of concrete
This present work describes the utilisation of the relatively novel high power diode laser
(HPDL) to generate a surface glaze on the ordinary Portland cement (OPC) surface of
concrete. The value of such an investigation would be to facilitate the hitherto impossible
task of generating a durable and long-lasting surface seal on the concrete, thereby extending
the life and applications base of the concrete. The basic process phenomena are investigated
and the laser effects in terms of glaze morphology, composition and microstructure
are presented. Also, the resultant heat affects are analysed and described, as well as
the effects of the shield gases, O2 and Ar, during laser processing. HPDL glazing of OPC
was successfully demonstrated with power densities as low as 750 W cm-2 and at scanning
rates up to 480 mm min-1. The work showed that the generation of the surface glaze resulted
in improved mechanical and chemical properties over the untreated OPC surface of concrete.
Both untreated and HPDL glazed OPC were tested for pull-off strength, rupture strength,
water absorption, wear resistance and corrosion resistance. The OPC laser glaze exhibited
clear improvements in wear, water sorptivity, and resistance (up to 80% concentration) to
nitric acid, sodium hydroxide and detergent. Life assessment testing revealed that the OPC
laser glaze had an increase in actual wear life of 1.3 to 14.8 times over the untreated OPC
surface of concrete, depending upon the corrosive environment
The development and characteristics of a hand-held high power diode laser-based industrial tile grout removal and single-stage sealing system
As the field of laser materials processing becomes ever more diverse, the high power diode laser (HPDL) is now being regarded by many as the most applicable tool. The commercialisation of an industrial epoxy grout removal and single-stage ceramic tile grout sealing process is examined through the development of a hand-held HPDL device in this work. Further, an appraisal of the potential hazards associated with the use of the HPDL in an industrial environment and the solutions implemented to ensure that the system complies with the relevant safety standards are given. The paper describes the characteristics and feasibility of the industrial epoxy grout removal process. A minimum power density of approximately 3 kW/cm2 was found to exist, whilst the minimum interaction time, below which there was no removal of epoxy tile grout, was found to be approximately 0.5 s. The maximum theoretical removal rate that may be achievable was calculated as being 65.98 mm2/s for a circular 2 mm diameter beam with a power density of 3 kW/cm2 and a traverse speed of 42 mm/s. In addition, the characteristics of the single-stage ceramic tile grout sealing are outlined. The single-stage ceramic tile grout sealing process yielded crack and porosity free seals which were produced in normal atmospheric conditions. Tiles were successfully sealed with power densities as low as 550 W/cm2 and at rates of up to 420 mm/min. In terms of mechanical, physical and chemical characteristics, the single-stage ceramic tile grout was found to be far superior to the conventional epoxy tile grout and, in many instances, matched and occasionally surpassed that of the ceramic tiles themselves