Method and apparatus for removing paint on metallic components

Abstract

An apparatus for removing paint from a metallic component. The apparatus includes an electrolytic cell in which the metallic component is an anode, and a DC power supply capable of producing a plasma causing the paint from the metallic component to disintegrate. A method of depainting a metallic component includes providing an electrolytic cell with the metallic component to be depainted acting as an anode. A DC power supply connected to the cathode and anode is activated to produce a plasma causing the paint from the metallic component to disintegrate. Another method of method of depainting a metallic component includes providing an aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium citrate, and potassium oxalate as an electrolyte, a cathode and a pained metallic component as an anode. A DC power supply connected to the cathode and anode produces a plasma causing the paint from the painted metallic component to disintegrate.

1 . An apparatus for removing paint from a painted metallic component comprising:
 a tank containing a liquid electrolyte;   a cathode immersed in the liquid electrolyte;   a painted metallic component to be depainted acting as anode and immersed in the liquid electrolyte, the painted metallic component comprising a primer and one or more layers of paint on a surface thereof;   a DC power supply or a pulsed DC power supply connected to the anode and cathode to form an electrolytic cell and produce a plasma near the painted metallic component; and   means for activating the DC power supply to produce the plasma and selecting a voltage for the electrolytic cell formed by the cathode, the anode, and the liquid electrolyte and a duration of the plasma that results in the disintegration of the primer and paint of the one or more layers of paint from the painted metallic component into pieces that fall into the liquid electrolyte, thereby resulting in a depainted metallic component.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid electrolyte is an aqueous solution of at least one salt. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one salt is one of an ammonium salt, a sodium salt or a potassium salt. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one salt is two salts. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the two salts are an ammonium salt and a potassium salt. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the two salts are an ammonium salt and a sodium salt. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the two salts are a sodium salt and a potassium salt. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cathode is made of stainless steel SS 316. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the painted metallic component comprises an aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the aluminum alloy is Al 7075 or Al 2014. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the DC power supply is capable of producing 1000 volts. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a draining and filtration system for the liquid electrolyte capable of capturing the pieces falling into the liquid electrolyte.