Identification of Biodegradable/Environmentally Compatible Methods for EpoxyRemoval. Phase 1

摘要

The Aerospace Guidance and Metrology Center (AGMC), located at Newark Air ForceBase (NAFB), Ohio, repairs and maintains navigation and guidance equipment for the United States Air Force and other components of the Department of Defense. Thousands of these delicate and sophisticated electromechanical devices are repaired each year at the Center. The repair of these devices may require removal of a variety of cured epoxy adhesives and coatings. Current methods of removing epoxy resins can cause surface damage to the parts, or may use chemicals which are toxic or carcinogenic, or which may be environmentally undesirable. The objective of this first phase program was to idertify alternative, solvent-based methods for epoxy removal which are efficient, more environmentally compatible than current processes, safe in their application, and which do not degrade the reliability of the equipment being repaired and maintained by AGMC. A focused literature search and adhesive supplier contacts were used to define a preliminary set of candidate solvent systems, including commercially available products. A theoretical solubility parameter model was then used to screen the candidates.