Fiber Laser Rust Removal — Two Source Groups, Two Wavelengths
Fiber laser rust removal uses a fiber-delivered beam absorbed efficiently by iron oxide while the steel substrate reflects much of the energy — that selective absorption is why fiber outperforms CO₂ and lamp-pumped sources on metal. But “fiber laser” covers two distinct source groups with different wavelengths, cooling requirements and throughput profiles. Choosing the right group matters more than any other specification.
Pulsed Fiber 50/100 W — 1064 nm
Q-switched pulsed fiber sources operate at 1064 nm. Energy is delivered in nanosecond bursts — high peak fluence, low average power, air-cooled and portable. This makes them the right tool for precise, low-heat ablation: thin surface rust and oxide films, heat-sensitive alloys, conservation work, mould and die cleaning, weld pre-treatment on precision parts. The 50 W unit is the lightest and most controlled; the 100 W unit adds throughput while staying air-cooled and field-portable. No chiller, no blast media, no secondary pollution.
Continuous Fiber 3000/6000 W — 1080 nm
CW (continuous-wave) fiber sources operate at approximately 1080 nm. A steady high-power beam drives production throughput that pulsed units cannot match: rust removal at 50–100 m²/h on structural steel, thick scale (≥ 3 mm), multi-layer coatings (≥ 5 layers) and ship hull de-rusting. Water-cooled, three-phase power (380 V), fixed workstation. The 6000 W unit approximately doubles throughput vs 3000 W on heavy contamination. Hull de-rusting with continuous fiber has demonstrated 40% cost reduction vs sandblasting.
Selection Guide & Source Comparison
Choose pulsed fiber (50/100 W, 1064 nm) when: portability is required; substrate damage tolerance is low; contamination is thin-to-medium; job is on-site or field. Choose continuous fiber (3000/6000 W, 1080 nm) when: rust is thick; area is large; throughput and cost-per-m² dominate; job runs at production pace in a fixed facility.
| Source type | Wavelength | Format | Metal derust fit | Running cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulsed fiber 50/100 W | 1064 nm | Air-cooled, portable | Excellent — precision, thin rust | Very low (no consumables) |
| Continuous fiber 3000/6000 W | 1080 nm | Water-cooled, fixed station | Excellent — high throughput, thick rust | Low (no lamps) |
| CO₂ | 10.6 µm | Fixed | Weak (metal reflects) | Medium |
| Lamp-pumped | — | Fixed | Fair | High (lamp consumables) |
CE-marked; 1-year warranty; installation and after-sales support available. Pre-weld cleaning yield: 99.5% on certified production lines. Mould life with pulsed maintenance cleaning: 2–3×. Request a technical consultation or quote →