Masking Aerospace/Turbine Components for Surface Cleaning and Finishing Operations
High value component fabrication often involves processes for surface enhancement. Components made of metal or metal alloys typically undergo operations that can include acid cleaning, grit blasting, peening, plating, and coating with corrosion resistant paints or powder coats. Some surfaces or internal cavities may need to be insulated from these processes for reasons of functionality or processing incompatibility. Temporary masks are applied to act as barriers, and are subsequently removed from the completed component after processing.
Due to their relatively low cost, materials such as tapes, solvent-based lacquers, and waxes have traditionally been used as removable masks. The protection provided from these materials can be somewhat inconsistent, which has a direct impact on component rework and scrap. Higher indirect costs including elevated insurance premiums, special handling charges, and regulatory reporting can arise from the use of certain solvent-based products in the workplace. But the greatest cost driver of all can be the masking process itself. Masking is typically a very labor intensive process which can add substantial cost to each component.
An alternative to traditional masking materials and methods is now available from Tangent. Highly resilient materials incorporating light curable technology are offered for the specific purpose of temporary surface protection. These masking materials can be easily dispensed on surfaces and into cavities by manual methods or with automated dispensing systems. Once dispensed, the liquid masking material is cured (hardened) in seconds using a UV light source. This dramatically reduces labor time, and allows masking to be incorporated as an in-line process for continuous production flow.
Once the processing is completed, the masking materials can be removed by peeling or incineration, (900°F to 1200°F). Quite often, the incineration process can be combined with an existing component heat treating operation for maximum process efficiency. Component surfaces are residue-free after the masks are removed, and ready for the next operation.
Tangent masking materials are formulated to primarily address the challenges of three unique applications: (dry) media blasting, (wet) plating/anodizing, and orthopedic prostheses processing. However, these masking materials can also be used in many other applications and processes. They can mask surfaces from aggressive paints and coatings. Tangent masking materials provide surface protection during shipping and handling, machining operations and grinding. As an added benefit, they can extend the life of fixtures used to secure components during machining, blasting, peening, and plating operations.
Please open one of the links below to view our selection of masking products. Or, contact Tangent Application Engineering to speak with a trained specialist who can guide you to a product best suited for your application.
- (Dry) Media Blasting Masks
- (Wet) Acid Stripping, Plating, and Anodizing Masks
- Orthopedic Prostheses Masks
- Contact Tangent
|Product Number||Suitable Applications||Viscosity cP mPa||Shore Durometer||24 Hour Water Absorbtion||LEDcure||Bondable Substrates||Comments/Features||Request
|acid stripping, machining, flame spray||thixo gel||D75-85||< 1.0%||yes||nickel alloys, steel||UV/Visible cure, secondary thermal cure, burn-off removal at 650°C/1200°F|
|grit blasting, shot peening, plating, polishing||20,000-30,000||D50||< 1.0%||yes||titanium, chrome, cobalt, other metals||UV/Visible cure, remove by hot water dip and peel, red color|
|grit blasting, shot peening, painting, polishing||20,000-30,000||D25||< 1.0%||yes||titanium, chrome, cobalt, other metals||UV/Visible cure, remove by room temperature peel|
|acid stripping, machining, flame spray||25,000-30,000||D80-90||< 1.0%||yes||nickel alloys, steel||UV/Visible cure, secondary thermal cure, burn-off removal at 650°C/1200°F|
|grit blasting, shot peening, polishing||20,000-30,000||D40||< 1.0%||yes||titanium, chrome, cobalt, other metals||UV/Visible cure, remove by warm water dip and peel, colored green for improved visibilty|
*Note: viscosity variations are typically available, or can be formulated, for all listed products. Please inquire with Tangent Applications Engineering for viscosity ranges not shown in the table.
Contact Tangent Industries for more info.