Evaluation of Propylene Carbonate in Air Logistics Center (ALC) DepaintingOperations

摘要

This report summarizes a two-phase, laboratory-scale screening study thatevaluated solvent blends containing propylene carbonate (PC) as a potential replacement for methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) in aircraft radome depainting operations. The study was conducted at Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center (OC-ALC) at Tinker Air Force Base (TAFB). The first phase of this study screened the performance of three solvent blends provided by Texaco Chemical Company. These blends contained varying concentrations of PC, n-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP), dibasic ester (DBE), and other organic solvents. The performance of each blend was compared with that of MEK-both by the paint removal time and by a visual estimate of the amount of paint removed without any visible substrate damage (removal efficiency). Phase 2 test results revealed that PC Blend 2 performed favorably in comparison with MEK in removing paint from the fiberglass/epoxy (F/E) test panels and in subsequent paint adhesion tests, despite an indication of possible substrate damage.