Cleaning of tough paints on advanced composites using laser technologies

该项目研究基础知识和算法，以支持一种新型烧蚀技术的部署，该技术使用脉冲激光来去除先进复合材料结构表面的涂料，特别是坚硬的涂料，例如机身和涡轮叶片。建立了描述脉冲激光去除涂料的红外和紫外光烧蚀机理的热力模型。将确定和演示清洁具有不同性能的涂料而不损害底层复合材料的最佳加工方案。它满足了这种复合材料上涂装材料系统的清洁技术需求，以支持工业中的改装和再制造。这些都是至关重要的行业要求。

This project researches fundamental knowledge and algorithms to underpin the deployment of a novel ablation technology using pulsed lasers to remove paints, in particular tough paints, from surfaces of advanced composite structures, e.g. airframes and turbine blades. It establishes thermal mechanical models to describe ablation mechanisms of pulsed laser removal of the paint using both IR and UV bands. Optimal processing protocols to clean paints with different properties, without damaging the underlying composites, will be determined and demonstrated. It meets a cleaning technology need for this paint-on-composites material system to support retrofitting and re-manufacturing in industry. These are crucial industry requirements.