Search Results

Recent development efforts for Starch Media Dry Stripping (SMDS) confirm that significant gains in production efficiency are achievable through automation. The primary benefits of automation and its impact on stripping operations are discussed in quantitative terms. The paper demonstrates that the automation of the SMDS process provides major reductions in stripping cycle times at competitive operating costs. Most importantly, this approach avoids the need to dedicate a hanger to dry stripping of transport aircraft.

This paper reviews a wide range of starch blast media coating removal applications for the aerospace industry. Although broad approvals by major aircraft manufacturers are still pending, commercial airlines are using this process to remove polyurethane paints from 2024-T3 and 7075-T6 clad aluminum as thin as 0.020″ without metal deformation in selected applications. Alodine 1000 and 1200 treated panels pass 7-day salt spray exposure tests after depainting. Chromic acid anodizing is also left largely intact. A wide variety of coatings are stripped from graphite, fiberglass, and kevlar without the risk of substrate damage observed with plastic media. Polysulfide sealants and carbon deposits are easily removed from engine parts and castings. Tedlar and adhesive backing for interior finishing are removed from B727 and B737 aircraft. Primer is stripped from magnesium elevator skins leaving Dow conversion coating completely intact.