The objective of this SBIR project is to investigate and develop the capability for the removal of appliqu from Navy aircraft. Appliqu coatings are basically coated adhesive sheets and have been experimented with as an alternative to sprayed organic coatings but have proven to be difficult to remove using an environmentally acceptable process. Appliqu coatings have been used and tested on the F-18 having adhered under Mach 1 plus conditions, and is being experimented with on the JSF. Appliqu coatings are environmentally friendly as an alternative to paints, but the removal process is not environmentally safe. Currently, the appliqu is removed using large quantities of solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone to soften the adhesive on the back of the appliqu , which generates a large amount of volatile organic compounds. LANCORP has successfully removed an appliqu sample using its diode laser stripping method. Our approach is to build upon this success by demonstrating diode laser ability to remove appliqu and then by designing a full-scale system for rapid removal from aircraft surfaces. LANCORP has demonstrated the ability of diode lasers, over other types of lasers, to strip and clean aircraft coatings in an efficient, controllable and cost-effective manner Effective implementation of laser de-coating technology offers the following
Benefits: reduced environmental impact from elimination of the use of hazardous chemicals and reduction of solid waste generated for disposal, reduced health and safety risks due to the elimination of exposure to hazardous chemicals and de-coating residues (e.g., dust from dry abrasive blasting operations.), decreased operating costs due to reduced labor, materials use, damaged parts, and waste disposal costs, enhanced capability to apply advanced coating systems, such as electrocoats and powdercoats, since the process in essence "mills" the coating off. This technology would provide a rate of stripping comparable with present methods, comparable in cost to other stripping methods, but with the added value of eliminating the need for a dedicated depaint facility, or the preparation and cleanup issues. This is a less expensive more qualitative near term technology that can be implemented within 1-2 years, since the LANCORP ASI design incorporates commercially available components into a proprietary configuration, with the tool head being the most unique part of the system. Using this technology, high power laser stripping systems can be built for under $100,000.
