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-----Hardface Removal
1998
Hardface/hardsurface removal. Plasma applied carbide coating up to
.010" thick onto aircraft turbine components. I am looking for a process that will removal the coating without damaging the base material, and maintaining the profile of the original part. We are using waterjet removal on a few items but with limited success. One of the problems is the loss of the original profile of the component.
I was thinking about a system that could break the bond between the coating and the base material by some type of pulsed, impact energy. Chemical cleaning is out. The braze material applied through out the part cannot be damaged or affected in any way.
- Nashville, TN
Gene, the carbide you mentioned, is it TiC, WC or some other compound? Is it Plsama CVD deposited or sputter deposited? If it is CVD, the compound is likely to be diffused in the base metal to some extent, and harder to peel off. Also, I wonder how is it feasible to transfer impact energy uniformly across the contour of the blades or components. How large are the parts? Have you tried a harder abrasive material like diamond to abrade the layer?
Mandar Sunthankar- Fort Collins, Colorado
1998
What is your part?
Turbine engine OEM's specify the process that can be used. what do they say?
Is the part so difficult or so large that the braze can not be masked?
There are some waterborne latex maskants that are pretty good.
(time consuming to apply tho)
- Navarre, Florida
1998
We have a process available that uses a High Energy Pulsed Ion Beam to do a variety of surface finishes & removal of coatings, depending on desired depth of treated area. Our process only penetrates the near surface of 5 - 10 microns, but because of the near surface, we rapidly melt and resolidify the underlying material to homogenize & refine the grain size of the base material, or ablate the unwanted material without affecting surface dimentionality of the part. We have also received positive results on reducing corrosion on turbine blades. I would be happy to provide you with further information.
Kimberly Boucher- Albuquerque, NM
1998
To the best of my knowledge Turbine Coating Removal using waterjets is somewhat common. Perhaps you are using the wrong pressure or nozzle? You should contact Pratt and Whitney Automation in Madison - Formerly AST. They are the technology leader in this application. Pulsed Jets are usually not required. A high speed rotating nozzle with converging sapphire pencil jets work well.
Joseph Fredrick- Buford, Georgia
2005
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