| abstract |
The present invention relates to a method for removing a ceramic thermal barrier coating system (18). The laser energy 20 is applied to the thermal barrier coating system in the presence of the solvent material 22 to form the melt 26. Upon removal of energy, the melt solidifies to form a slag layer 28, which is more loosely bonded to the lower metallic substrate 12 than the original thermal barrier coating system. Thereafter, the slag is destroyed and released from the substrate by a mechanical process such as grit blasting 30. Sufficient energy can be applied to melt the entire depth of the coating system with the thin layer 34 of the substrate, thereby creating a regenerated surface 36 on the substrate upon stocking . |