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Available processes for surface preparation of titanium for primer

2006

Hello,

I work for Orbital Sciences in Northern Va and I am looking for some information on processes available to prepare titanium (6AL-4V) for priming. We normally use Pasa-Jell 107 to prep the surface and BR127 as the primer. With a 7 week lead time for Pasa-Jell 107 and an infrequency of priming titanium parts I am looking for some alternative methods where we could prime only specific surfaces of a part (so no immersion in a solution...immersion in any solution that affects either machining accuracy or the surface finish of the areas not being primed is unacceptable). The process would have to have low or no residual volatiles that could cause trouble in a vacuum environment because most of our components are related to spacecraft. Any suggestions about chemical etching (or other) processes that use standard chemicals (short lead time to acquire) and allow selective application are greatly appreciated. The parts require a high-strength structural bond.

Thanks in advance for the advice.
Peter Michael Cipollo
Orbital Sciences Corporation - Sterling, Virginia