# US 10,400,350 B1 · Method and apparatus for removing paint on metallic components > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,400,350 B1 - Document ID: US10400350B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/490,429 - Filed: 2017-04-18 - Granted: 2019-09-03 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-20 - Assignees: IBC Materials & Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: Solomon Berman; Daesung Chong; Ashok Ramaswamy - Inventors: Solomon Berman; Daesung Chong; Ashok Ramaswamy - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10400350B1 ## CPC - C25F 5/00: Electrolytic stripping of metallic layers or coatings - C23F 4/00: Processes for removing metallic material from surfaces, not provided for in group C23F1/00 or C23F3/00 - C23G 5/00: Cleaning or de-greasing metallic material by other methods; Apparatus for cleaning or de-greasing metallic material with organic solvents - H01J 37/32321: {Discharge generated by other radiation (H01J37/32055, H01J37/32073, H01J37/32082, H01J37/32192, H01J37/32348 take precedence)} - H01J 2237/334: Etching - C25F: PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC REMOVAL OF MATERIALS FROM OBJECTS; APPARATUS THEREFOR - C23F: NON-MECHANICAL REMOVAL OF METALLIC MATERIAL FROM SURFACE (working metal by laser beams B23K26/00; desurfacing by applying flames B23K7/00; working of metal by electro-erosion B23H; producing decorative effects by removing surface material, e.g. by engraving, by etching, B44C1/22; electrolytic etching or polishing C25F); INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL; MULTI-STEP PROCESSES FOR SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL INVOLVING AT LEAST ONE PROCESS PROVIDED FOR IN CLASS C23 AND AT LEAST ONE PROCESS COVERED BY SUBCLASS C21D OR C22F OR CLASS C25 - C23G: CLEANING OR DE-GREASING OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY CHEMICAL METHODS OTHER THAN ELECTROLYSIS - H01J: ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS (spark-gaps H01T; electric arc lamps H05B31/00; particle accelerators H05H) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of depainting a painted metallic component, the method comprising: providing a tank containing a liquid electrolyte and a cathode immersed in the liquid electrolyte; immersing a painted metallic component to be depainted into the liquid electrolyte to act as an anode, wherein the painted metallic component contains a primer and one or more layers of a paint; providing a DC power supply connected to the anode and cathode to form an electrolytic cell capable of producing a plasma near the painted component; activating the DC power supply to produce a plasma near the painted metallic component; and selecting a voltage for the electrolytic cell formed by the cathode, the anode and the liquid electrolyte and a duration of the plasma such that the primer and the one or more layers of the paint from the painted metallic component disintegrates into pieces falling into the liquid electrolyte, thereby resulting in a depainted metallic component. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid electrolyte is an aqueous solution of one of an ammonium salt, a potassium salt and a sodium salt. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the cathode is made of a stainless steel SS 316. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the painted metallic component to be depainted comprises an aluminum alloy. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the aluminum alloy is Al 7075 or Al 2014. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the aluminum alloy comprises an anodization layer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the voltage and the duration of the plasma are selected such that integrity of the anodization layer and its adhesion to the aluminum alloy are undamaged. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the DC power supply is capable of producing voltages up to 1000 volts. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, the duration is in the range of 1-30 minutes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the depainting of the metallic component is in selected areas of the metallic component. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the metallic component belongs to an aircraft.