# US 2019/0382913 A1 · 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 2019/0382913 A1 - Document ID: US20190382913A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/554,639 - Filed: 2019-08-29 - Published: 2019-12-19 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-20 - Assignees: IBC Materials & Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: IBC Materials & Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Solomon Berman; Daesung Chong; Ashok Ramaswamy - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190382913A1 ## 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 An apparatus for removing paint from a painted metallic component comprising: a tank containing a liquid electrolyte; a cathode immersed in the liquid electrolyte; a painted metallic component to be depainted acting as anode and immersed in the liquid electrolyte, the painted metallic component comprising a primer and one or more layers of paint on a surface thereof; a DC power supply or a pulsed DC power supply connected to the anode and cathode to form an electrolytic cell and produce a plasma near the painted metallic component; and means for activating the DC power supply to produce the plasma and selecting a voltage for the electrolytic cell formed by the cathode, the anode, and the liquid electrolyte and a duration of the plasma that results in the disintegration of the primer and paint of the one or more layers of paint from the painted metallic component into pieces that fall into the liquid electrolyte, thereby resulting in a depainted metallic component. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid electrolyte is an aqueous solution of at least one salt. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one salt is one of an ammonium salt, a sodium salt or a potassium salt. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one salt is two salts. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the two salts are an ammonium salt and a potassium salt. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the two salts are an ammonium salt and a sodium salt. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the two salts are a sodium salt and a potassium salt. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cathode is made of stainless steel SS 316. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the painted metallic component comprises an aluminum alloy. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the aluminum alloy is Al 7075 or Al 2014. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the DC power supply is capable of producing 1000 volts. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a draining and filtration system for the liquid electrolyte capable of capturing the pieces falling into the liquid electrolyte.