Qualification of an Environmentally Safe and Effective Paint Removal Process for Aircraft

摘要

In response to fleet and depot needs to reduce hazardous waste in aircraft paint stripping and to conform to regulations eliminating the use of toxic chemical paint strippers, the Naval Air Systems Team (Materials Division, Depots and Headquarters) teamed with the Air Force at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in proof of concept development, characterization and demonstration of a mature, advanced paint removal system, the Boeing xenon/ flashlamp CO2 (Flashjet (Trade name)) process. Extensive metallic and composite materials testing was conducted. This paper describes the development and characterization program leading to authorization of the process for use on fixed-wing Navy aircraft.