Strippable Intercoating Layer for Selective Coating Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current intercoating layers in the aerospace industry lack effective adhesion and selective strippability, requiring the removal of entire coating systems during maintenance, which is time-consuming and damaging to underlying substrates.

Innovation Solution

A coating composition comprising organic polymers with carboxylic acid functionalities, metallic agents, and boron agents, forming a coordination complex that provides strong adhesion and selective strippability, allowing for the removal of topcoat layers while preserving the underlying substrate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If conventional intercoating layers are used, then the coating system can be applied to the substrate, but the adhesion is insufficient and the entire coating system must be removed during maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselective strippabilityVSAvoidre-coating time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The coating system is segmented into distinct functional layers: a strippable intercoating layer (containing polymer, metallic agent, and boron agent) and a post-coating layer. This segmentation allows the intercoating layer to be selectively removed while preserving the substrate and any desired underlying coatings, enabling partial repairs without complete system removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The intercoating layer acts as an intermediary between the substrate and the post-coating layer. It provides a weak link that facilitates selective removal through chemical stripping agents, while simultaneously providing adequate adhesion during service. The metallic agent and boron agent in the intercoating layer create coordination complexes that control the stripping behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of repair

If the entire coating system is removed for maintenance, then all post-coating layers can be replaced, but the underlying substrate and coatings are damaged and the process is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselective strippabilityVSAvoidsubstrate damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The strippable intercoating layer is designed to be extracted or removed selectively from the coating system. The intercoating layer contains specific components (polymer with acid functionalities, metallic agent, boron agent) that form reversible coordination complexes, allowing it to be chemically stripped away while leaving the substrate and other desired layers intact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The potential harm of coating removal is converted into a benefit by designing the intercoating layer to be selectively removable. What would normally be a destructive process (stripping coatings) becomes a controlled, beneficial process that allows maintenance and repainting while preserving the substrate and reducing waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Strength

If strong adhesion is provided between coating layers, then in-service performance is improved, but selective removal of topcoat layers becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion strengthVSAvoidselective strippability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesion properties of the intercoating layer are made dynamic rather than static. During application and service, the coordination complexes between metallic agents and boron agents provide strong adhesion. During maintenance, chemical stripping agents disrupt these complexes, dynamically changing the adhesion strength to enable selective removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical parameters of the intercoating layer are changed to achieve different adhesion states. The intercoating layer contains acid-functionalized polymers that form coordination complexes with metallic agents, creating strong adhesion during service. Chemical stripping agents alter these parameters by disrupting the coordination complexes, enabling selective removal while maintaining strong adhesion during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables efficient and selective removal of post-coating layers, maintaining substrate integrity and reducing re-coating time, while ensuring chemical resistance and mechanical performance.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoordination complex formation: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20210130626A1Polymer coating compositions

Publication Date: 2021.05.06 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to adhesion promoting intercoating layers, selectively strippable coatings, coating compositions, and methods of making and using the compositions and coatings. A coating composition can be provided comprising an organic polymer containing acid functionalities, a metallic agent, and a boron agent, which may be used on a coated substrate as a selectively strippable and/or adhesion promoting intercoating layer. The coating compositions can be applied to coated substrates within a broad application window and used within multi layered coating systems.