BOND ADHESIVE REMOVAL PROCESS IMPROVES
QUALITY – SAVES TIME AND MONEY

Cessna and Boeing integrate new adhesive removal process into aircraft production line.

Aluminum aircraft sections and parts are often bonded together using various types of high-strengthadhesive. During the bonding process, adhesive is pushed from the bond area, forming an unwanted bead line or smear of adhesive. This excess adhesive must be removed if it interferes with final assembly.

Historically, a variety of methods have been used by aircraft manufacturers to remove unwanted adhesive from bonded parts, including hand-sanding, chemical application, and different scraping techniques using tools such as chisels. These methods are extremely slow and often compromise the quality of the finished parts. The corrosion protection system -which usually consists of a chemical conversion coating and a bond primer - is often removed. Removal of any bond primer necessitates re-priming of affected areas, an additional task. Needless to say, these traditional methods of adhesive bond removal have been a problem area for aircraft manufacturers.

Cessna Aircraft and The Boeing Company have established a better method for bond adhesive removal. ADM’s EnviroStrip® media is being used to remove excess adhesive from aluminum bonded parts at both Cessna and Boeing Wichita plants. EnviroStrip® has proven to be faster and more economical to use, and has greatly enhanced the quality of finished parts by leaving the bond primer intact. This improved “adhesive deflash” process is now an integral part of the sub-assembly operations at these leading airframe manufacturers. The gentle effect of EnviroStrip® on both aluminum and composite substrates allows it to remove the excess adhesive quickly, without removing the protective primer or damaging the underlying surface.

Raytheon’s Beech Aircraft division, a long-time user of EnviroStrip® media for paint removal requirements, recently announced plans to install a new “de-flash” room using EnviroStrip® for adhesive removal.

Call us for further information on how EnviroStrip® media can save you time and money with your adhesive removal requirements:

USA: (407) 728-9100 CANADA: (800) 561-3715 INTERNATIONAL: (44) 1295 788 125 (UK)

Select ADM Biobased Media Series

EnviroStrip®
 (wheat starch)

EnviroStrip® XL
 (corn hybrid polymer)

eStrip ® GPX
 (starch-g-acrylic)