Paint Stripping & Activating of Aircraft Composite Structures; Tested and Approved According to SAE MA4872

Before new technologies can be applied within the aviation industry, they have to be carefully tested according to international standards and approved by the OEM’s. To implement the new alternative SLCR-Laser coating removal process into the A/C maintenance centers, it was tested in a comprehensive testing program based on the SAE MA4872 guidelines and additional requirements given by Airbus and Boeing. This program was performed by Lufthansa Technik AG, Hamburg and SLCR Lasertechnik GmbH, Düren in close collaboration with EADS Airbus and the Boeing Corp.

The paper depicts the results gained during the tests conducted according to the SAE document and it presents some lay-outs of respective systems.