Optimization and Prototyping of Medium Pressure Water (MPW) Depaint Process, Tri-Service Committee on Corrosion Proceedings

摘要

This research program was designed to evaluate the potential of a paint strippingprocess that utilizes a medium pressure water jet as a viable alternative to the current practice of paint stripping and cleaning of aircraft with hazardous chemicals. The means of determining the viability of this environmentally safer blast process was predicated on establishing a set of process parameters at which paint stripping was accomplished at an economically sound rate, while minimizing any possible substrate damage. A complete evaluation of the Aqua Miser medium pressure water (MPW) blasting process and four candidate nozzles was conducted through three discrete tasks. Task 1 concentrated on (1) establishing depaint efficiency and (2) characterizing any potential substrate damage as a result of stripping with the MPW process. Tasks 2 and 3 included a field level demonstration and evaluation of the Aqua Miser system on aircraft component parts and partial aircraft airframes, respectively. A description of the technical activities and results obtained from each of the three tasks is provided.