The Aerospace Industry is a major precision manufacturing industry that justifiably employ Blast processes Surface Preparation and Finishing.  The industry is identfied by several divisional disciplines and each have many applications.

To understand what dry and wet blasting is please see our blog: Blast Surface Preparation and Finishing – What Is It And Why Should We Consider Using It?

Aerospace Industry

The aerospace industry has in place and operates one of the most stringent critical component part process control together with detailed procedure compliances.

 This industry is split four ways:

• Engine Turbines
• Air Frame
• New Producer
• Overhaul

New Engine Turbines

1. The finishing of jet engine housings – with large automated airblast /wetblast machines.
2. Turbine shaft preparation.
3. Etching the surface to a specification, prior to ceramic and other coatings being applied.
4. Descaling of the forged turbine blades and removal of glass.
5. Removal of ceramic after investment casting.
6. Descaling of the hot end investment cast blades.
7. Descaling of the investment cast stators.
8. The descaling and de-burring of turbine discs in airblast or wet blast machines by fixturing.
9. The stripping of ceramic for inspection maintenance, non-destruct testing (NDT) etc.
10. Preparation of the seal rings prior to hard surfacing.

New Air Frame Component Manufacturers

1. The de-burring and surface finishing of airframe components, usually of aerospace aluminium alloys. Processes usually involve the use of long, straight conveyor machines – sometimes fitted with inlet/outlet vestibules.  Machines can be supplied for wing spars and stringers which can be as long as required.
2. Shot peening/stress relieving of various aerospace components including stringers, flaps, landing gear, brake components and aircraft wheel sets.
3. Surface preparation of aircraft seating frames. 

Engine Turbine Overhaul

1. The re-finishing of jet engine housings – with large automated airblast /wetblast machines.
2. Turbine shaft re-preparation after inspection and repair.
3. Re-etching the surface to a specification, prior to ceramic and other coatings being re-applied.
4. Surface preparation of the hot end cast blades.
5. Surface preparation of the cast stators.
6. The surface preparation of turbine discs in airblast or wet blast machines after fixturing.
7. The stripping of ceramic for inspection maintenance,  non-destructive test (NDT) etc.
8. Re-preparation of the seal rings, prior to hard surfacing.

Air Frame and Undercarriage Overhaul

1. Stress relief /re-peening of repaired components such as flaps, drives, sprockets.
2. Removal of applied surface coatings prior to inspection, non-destructive testing (NDT), possible repair / requalification or renewal replacement.
3. Stress relief /re-peening of repaired components such as landing gear and mechanism, aircraft wheels and braking systems.
4. Fuselage paint removal, using a soft, non-abrasive media, prior to inspection and re-painting in the desired livery.
5. Cockpit re-furbishment, in a confined area, using sponge media to avoid dust being generated in a sensitive area.
6. Radome, refurbishment – an automated system of stripping before inspection and recoating.

For further information regarding the aerospace industry applications please visit www.rosler.com

Other industries that justifiably employ dry and wet blast processes:

• Automotive
• Base Metal and Fabrication
• Production
• Manufacturing
• Maintaining and Cleaning
• Utilities

Post written by
Haydn Kitchen
Shot Blasting Technical Manager