Investigation of Process Parameters for Aircraft Paint Removal by Plastic Blasting

Air-Blasting with angular plastic blast media promises to be an effective and more environmentally secure method of removing paint and contaminants from aircraft for inspection and repainting purposes than conventional chemical treatments. Laboratory testing can be useful for determining optimum media sizes, and comparing different media for speed of paint removal and media breakdown. This paper explains the details of one test program, including a means for determining relative residual stresses imposed by plastic blasting. A discussion is also included on the effect of contaminants in the media on residual stress development.