Descaling of austenitic steels by laser radiation

Several heat treatments of austenitic stainless steel, for instance hot-rolling, welding or oxygas cutting lead to the formation of undesired oxyde layers and scales on the steel surface. These must be removed, most common by pickling bath or blasting, since the layers lower the corrosion resistance of the steel by suppressing the formation of the passivation [1]. Descaling by laser radiation offers a new environment friendly alternative to pickling bath and blasting.