Determination of Nd:YAG laser parameters for metal threads cleaning in textile artefacts

Abstract

Textile samples with metallic threads from the collection of the Ethnographic Museum Belgrade were subjected to Nd:YAG laser irradiation in order to determinate certain parameters for successfully and safely clean corrosion products without degrading the surrounding material. Application of conventional cleaning methods did not give the expected results, and the implementation of laser technology was the next step. The Nd:YAG laser energy 150 mJ (1064 nm) and 50 mJ (532 nm) and pulse width 150 ps was used. The commercial, Thunder Art Laser was also used. Effects of the irradiated areas was investigated by optical and SEM microscopy and EDX analysis.

Keywords

• Laser cleaning
• Nd:YAG laser
• corrosion
• metallic threads
• textile