Evaluation of the Effects of 'Hand' Sanding and Plastic Media Blasting (PMB)Paint Removal Methods on Graphite/Epoxy Composite Materials

摘要

An abrasive blasting process using plastic beads has been used to strip paintfrom USAF aircraft surfaces and component parts. The mechanical effects of Plastic Media Blasting (PMB) were studied on quasi-isentropic and uni-directional graphite/epoxy substrates. Effects of 'hand' sanding were also investigated. After one paint and strip cycle, the effects of PMB were found to be minimal; the mechanical properties varied within property limits of unstripped control samples. Using the primer as a flag to control stripping depth within the primer and resin rich 'gel' coat is recommended to maintain mechanical properties. Keywords: Paint removal, Abrasive blasting, Plastic media, PMB, Composites, Graphite-epoxy. (jes)