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

Abstract

An abrasive blasting process using plastic beads has been used to strip paint from 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.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA224926

Entities

People

  • Gary D. Meuer
  • Lawrence M. Butkus

Organizations

  • Wright Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Aircrafts
  • Composite Materials
  • Electron Microscopy
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Microscopy
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy
  • Shear Strength
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Tensile Modulus
  • Tensile Strength
  • Test And Evaluation
  • X Rays

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Environmental Engineering.
  • Reinforced Composite Materials