Plasma Electrolytic Technologies (PEO, PEDP, PE Polishing) for Aerospace applications
Plasma Electrolytic De-Painting is a fast, environmentally-friendly, non-line-of-sight method of removing paint from metallic components. The part is immersed in a non-hazardous, water-based electrolyte and high energy electrical potential applied between the part and a counter electrode. During the process, plasma is created on the surface of the painted part that results in the removal of epoxy and polyurethane-based paint from the part within 5-30 minutes. The process can be tailored to a wide variety of paints and alloys. No special pre-treatment of the part is required except for basic cleaning to remove any surface oils, thus enabling the efficient re-use of the electrolyte.
Plasma Electrolytic Polishing is a fast and environmentally-friendly method for significantly improving the surface finish of components with minimal dimensional change. PEP uses the same principle as the previously described process but with different electrolyte and process parameters. PEP has been conducted on both simple components, and complex additively manufactured (AM) parts. Test results of the PEP polished stainless-steel specimens show a significant reduction in surface roughness as compared to unpolished parts. The PEP process is extremely adaptable and has been successfully applied to a wide variety of steel, aluminum, and nickel alloys.
Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation coating is a hard, wear resistant, corrosion resistant, electrically insulating, coating that is formed on light weight alloys like aluminum, titanium and magnesium. PEO coating is created in an environmentally-friendly, water-based electrolyte with different process parameters. PEO coatings are very uniform around complex geometries, with no cracks around sharp corners and inhibit galvanic corrosion. PEO coatings have been successfully implemented on several DoD and commercial applications for several years, validating the wear/corrosion improvement.