This standard describes the use of portable or stationary PLA consisting of pulsed, Q-switched laser technology for preparation of ferrous metal substrates (does not include stainless steel) as required for applying coatings or linings, welding, adhesive bonding, and other applications where PLA will provide the surface preparation or contaminant removal required. Appendix A (nonmandatory) provides additional detail in explanatory notes.

Continuous wave (CW) lasers and ultra-short pulsed lasers, with pulse duration measured in picoseconds, are not included in this standard.

AMPP Guide 21611 is a vital supporting document for this standard. Reviewing this Guide before planning to use PLA for a particular project is essential to understanding how to use PLA safely and effectively, and PLA should not be used or specified before the Guide is thoroughly reviewed and understood.

A visual guide, proposed nomenclature AMPP Guide 21711, titled “Guide and Reference Photographs for Steel Surface Non-Mechanical Cleaning by Pulsed Laser Ablation,” is in development.