Cleaning of tough paints on advanced composites using laser technologies

该项目研究基础知识和算法，以支持使用脉冲激光的新型烧蚀技术的部署，以去除先进复合材料结构（例如机身和涡轮机叶片）表面的油漆，特别是坚韧的油漆。建立了红外和紫外波段脉冲激光去除油漆的热力学模型，描述了脉冲激光去除油漆的烧蚀机理。将确定并演示清洁具有不同特性的油漆而不损坏底层复合材料的最佳处理方案。它满足了这种涂料复合材料系统的清洁技术需求，以支持工业中的改造和再制造。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.