Thick elastomeric coating removal using tailored infrared- and infrared-sonication hybrid technology

We report an innovative, cost-effective, and eco-friendly coating removal technology that removes thick polyurethane-based elastomeric coatings without damaging the underlying metal or glass-polymer composite substrates. The developed eliminates need for chemical- media-based treatments, thus reducing environmental problems such as releasing toxic gases suspended solid particles in air. This was achieved using tailored infrared infrared-ultrasonication treatments of coated substrates caused bond failure at surface coat-substrate interface by selective absorption IR and/or impinging topcoat with ultrasonication technique. degraded interfacial adhesion strength then allowed easy specialty application a pull certain angle to substrate-coating interface. effect different operating parameters time irradiation, temperature, sonication power/intensity investigated determine optimal conditions removal. treated untreated samples were characterized DSC, SEM, FTIR, peel-tester, embedded thermocouple/LABVIEW, thermography techniques. energy analysis revealed fracture component 4× lower on sample than indicating reduced strength, which can be explained based residual thermal stress generated due coefficient mismatch cell dislocation. Also, from could removed 1.75× faster sample. Based cost analysis, operation this is meager compared conventional energy-intensive technologies laser ablation. • A IR-sonication-based discussed. use IR-sonication alone introduced failure. Three four times peel-strength reduction achieved. exposure frequency/amplitude optimized.