Gas Turbine Primer Removal via Swelling Solvent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toughened epoxy primers in gas turbine engine components are resistant to removal by conventional chemical or mechanical means, leading to partial removal of the underlying substrate during repair, which can compromise the component's structural integrity and geometric tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid technique involving the use of a swelling solvent to swell the toughened epoxy primer, making it more susceptible to mechanical abrasion for removal, significantly reducing the time required to remove the primer layer without damaging the substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If conventional chemical or mechanical means are used to remove the toughened epoxy primer, then the primer layer can be removed, but the underlying substrate is partially removed, compromising structural integrity and geometric tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
A swelling agent is applied to the toughened epoxy primer before mechanical removal to pre-soften and swell the material. This preliminary chemical action reduces the primer's resistance to removal, allowing subsequent mechanical abrasion to remove the primer without requiring aggressive mechanical forces that would damage the underlying substrate and compromise geometric tolerances.
2Productivity
If grinding or grit blasting is used to remove the bond coat primer, then the primer can be removed, but the underlying substrate is partially removed, requiring laborious hand abrasion techniques over several hours
Solution Approach 1:
The physical-chemical state of the toughened epoxy primer is changed by applying a swelling agent that modifies the polymer structure through swelling and softening. This parameter change transforms the primer from a highly crosslinked, resistant state to a more pliable state that can be removed more efficiently. The modified primer can then be removed with less aggressive mechanical action, increasing productivity while preventing substrate loss.
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 hybrid technique allows for the efficient removal of toughened epoxy layers in less than an hour, preserving the underlying substrate and maintaining the component's structural integrity and geometric tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
use of a swelling solvent to swell the toughened epoxy primer, making it more susceptible to mechanical abrasion for removal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2I
AI summary
A method of repairing a defectively manufactured multi-layer component (100) having a substrate material (110) and a primer layer (130) includes applying, to the primer layer (130), a solvent that causes the primer layer (130) to swell to form a swelled primer layer (130). The method also includes abrading away the swelled primer layer (130) from the multi-layer component (100) and rebuilding the multi-layer component (100) by forming a new primer layer (130') on the substrate material (110).