Abstract
Laser cleaning have been found to be a useful cleaning tool to remove contaminants without inducing damage to the substrate and making secondary pollutant. In this study, the effect of Nd:YAG laser cleaning system, emitting at 1064 nm and 532 nm, on acrylic resin applied onto copper coupons and pieces of bronze was investigated. The samples after laser cleaning tests were examined using microscopy, FT-IR, SEM-EDS. As a result, the acrylic resin could be removed from most of the samples at low laser energy density. Laser wavelength 532 nm was more effective than 1064 nm because of using lower laser energy density, which could reduce heat damage to substrates. Although the acrylic resin was easily removed, it revealed melted surfaces and removed bronze patina which must remain. The problems should be solved by future studies using different laser system or laser wavelengths.
