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Stripping Aluminum Coating

I've given a task to find a method to strip an aluminum coating. But the problem is that the substrate is also aluminum and its not fully coated. To etch into chemicals would definitely etch the substrate as well. Appreciate if anybody can give an idea. Thanks in advance

Peter Doherty
Engineer - Malaysia
October 25, 2010

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Peter, an aluminum coating can be several things. What is yours?
PS, it will not be easy or cheap.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
First of two simultaneous responses -- October 26, 2010

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I have done/removed aluminium coating applied by thermal spray process on aluminium substrate. We use micro grinder to grind spot lightly the coating and use knocking/chiseling technique to lift the entire coating. You have to careful not to damage the substrate.

Hopefully I've answered your actual problem.

Guna
- Shah Alam, Malaysia
Second of two simultaneous responses -- October 27, 2010

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I would try 50% nitric acid or 150 g hot chromic acid or hot acidic permanganate solution .Good luck

Khair Shishani
aircraft maintenance - Al Ain, UAE
First of two simultaneous responses -- October 28, 2010

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James, we use flame spray and twin wire arc spray coating.

Guna, thanks for your suggestion but grinding the part is not very likely as the surface is holey and have dents all aver the surface. Grinding will damage the dent. Instead of removing mechanically, is there any solution to remove it chemically.

Peter Doherty
- Malaysia
Second of two simultaneous responses -- October 27, 2010