The LAwave® laser acoustic method is used to determine the effective mechanical properties of coatings and surfaces. Its wide range of applications allows it to be used in research and quality control in an industrial environment.
The LAwave® technology developed by the Fraunhofer IWS is a fast and non-destructive method for the mechanical characterization of surfaces and coatings and is based on laser acoustic surface wave spectroscopy. By determining the effective modulus of elasticity of the coatings and the substrate, material-related and production-related characteristics in the material are precisely determined. The method makes it possible to measure coatings in the range of a few nanometers to one millimeter as well as changes to surfaces. For example, it recognizes the influence of pores, cracks, delamination, interfering layers, textures and other process parameters. Due to this high degree of flexibility, it can be used for the following surfaces and coating technologies: