<title>Paint removal from aluminum and composite substrate of aircraft by laser ablation using TEA CO<formula><inf><roman>2</roman></inf></formula> lasers</title>

Abstract

A high power TEA CO<SUB>2</SUB> laser was applied to strip paints from the surface of aircraft. For our experimental samples, aluminum and fiber-reinforced composite substrate were painted as the completely same way as normal aircraft. As a result of delicate control of the irradiation parameters, the surfaces of not only aluminum substrate but also composite substrate were clearly exposed without any damages. Removed materials were found out to be effectively collected by a combination of a micro filter and activated carbon powder.