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How to Make the Successful Transition from a Painted to a Polished Aluminum Aircraft Fleet
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English
Abstract
Environmental regulations are tightening worker exposure limits and disposal options for airlines who chemically strip and repaint their fleets. An alternative is to operate a polished aluminum aircraft fleet.
The authors present an explanation of the grades of alclad aluminum fuselage skins used by commercial aircraft manufacturers and offer instructions on how to polish the unpainted alclad aluminum in order to operate the aircraft in the polished look.
All fuselages on aircraft built by Boeing, Douglas, Lockheed, and the new EMBRAER Brasilia, were assembled using premium grade polished alclad aluminum. As a result, painted versions of aircraft built by the airframers have the capability to be stripped, polished and put in service as a polished aluminum aircraft.
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Authors
Citation
Cieslak, S. and Whicker, J., "How to Make the Successful Transition from a Painted to a Polished Aluminum Aircraft Fleet," SAE Technical Paper 880874, 1988, https://doi.org/10.4271/880874.Also In
References
- Cieslak S. J. Tribendis J. J. “The Economic Advantages of Operating a Polished Aluminum Aircraft Fleet,” SAE 23rd Annual Aerospace/Airline Plating and Metal Finishing Forum and Exposition Jacksonville, Florida February 16-19 1987
- Western Airlines Los Angeles, California U.S. Air Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1986 1987
- The Kartridg Pak Company Davenport, Iowa 52808
- Hatch John E. Aluminum: Properties and Physical Metallurgy ASM Metals Park, Ohio May 1984