Laser Ablation Coating Removal Process for Navy Use

Laser Ablation Coating Removal Process for Navy Use Goal (s) (1) Approve LASER ablation as an authorized paint removal method for use on all classes of Navy ships. (2) Identify and codify the appropriate technical parameters for laser selection and processes for use (3) Identify and codify the appropriate safety precautions necessary to support shipboard production use

Technical Qualification • Initial testing was done as three independent projects utilizing various parameters and Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd: YAG) laser systems. – National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP) project - General Lasertronics Corporation (GLC or Lasertronics), BAE Systems, Vigor Shipyards and Pennsylvania State University Applied Research Laboratory utilized a GLC 400 Watt closed loop laser system. – Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) project – Newport News Shipbuilding (Huntington Ingalls (HII) and the University of Virginia utilized an Adapt CL 1000 watt and some limited samples with the GLC 400 watt laser systems focusing on open loop system. – Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) project – NNSY and the Mid Atlantic Regional Test Laboratory utilized the Adapt CL 1000 watt laser system focusing on open loop system. • Technical Review of the outcomes by NAVSEA allowed for partial approval for use and identified the need for additional testing specific to ships structures and construction materials to ensure the risk of inadvertent damage is properly mitigated

Authorized Applications • NAVSEA 05 authorized the use of lasers for coatings removal on Naval Surface Craft (MIL-STD-1689, NS STD Item 009 -32) in selected locations via letter SEA 05 S / 2015 – 238 dated 15 July, 2015. – Allows the application of laser ablation on non-nuclear steel structures for any application on ships scheduled for disposal (excluding CVN’s). – Allow application to steel structures with the exception of the shell and uppermost strength plating within the 3/5 mid-ship region. – Applications on aluminum is not authorized – For applications not meeting these restrictions the executing shipyard shall submit specific proposals through the DFS process. – Safety requirements of UIPI 1905 -115 A; Induction Heat Coating Removal, shall be tailored for use with lasers. – Results and feedback are required as per the memo attachment • NAVSEA and NRL are performing additional qualification testing of laser ablation systems to further codify technical adequacy, process controls and hardware selection. • Laser ablation approval letter for use on CV/CVN’s is with SEA 05 for approval. ECD Week of April 4 th

Hand Held Laser Ablation Testing POAM System Planned Deliverable Estimated Completion Date Hand held laser cleaning system prototype delivered using a loaned laser which can perform laser cleaning and surface retexturing April 2016 Industrial testing of the prototype system where large panels are cleaned in an industrial setting with report filed. TBD Purchase laser for complete system and plan transition to Navy and field testing TBD Implement system on a Navy ship and monitor logistics, waste, and labor costs and improve system as required TBD File report comparing total cost for media blasting, water jet, power tooling and laser cleaning after 1 year of use TBD Plan fleet wide implementation strategy TBD Deliverable Status Actual Completion Date Funding provided to NRL March 2016. Meeting with Sure. Clean held 3/23/16. Outcome to follow with updated POAM Testing Outcomes: To identify; Sweep Speed, Impingement Angle, Number of Passes, Beam Width Adjustability, Spot Size, Pulse Rate and Laser Power. 4

LASER Ablation Expected Benefits A comparison of needle gunning to laser ablation for removing a 10 -mil coating system of Mare Island epoxy (MIL-DTL-24441). • Removal Rates Needle gun: 21 min/ft 2 LASER ablation: 5 min/ft 2 • Savings: 16 min/ft 2 + solvent cleaning/clean up/waste disposal “Assumes removal of a fairly small tank or area 200 square feet (sq. ft) with a labor cost of $50/hr. ” • Total Saving of about $3 K • Plus Estimated $2. 5 K from labor to clean up and waste disposal • Total Saving of about $ 5. 5 K / 200 sqft. e l s u a d ion l u t i o c d k e ad ac W e db m e o e f s • Laser Ablation (LA) does produces cost saving but the key benefits to laser ablation is that it can be used in places that other systems can’t, (LA) eliminates or reduces solvent cleaning time and (LA) reduces hazardous and contained waste and the associated cost. • **Removal rates based on demo/testing estimates utilizing inexperienced laser operators and rates listed above do not including some of the associated cost required with power tool cleaning to SSPC SP-11 (i. e. needle gun cleaning) such as solvent cleaning to SSPC SP-1 and any containments need to power tool clean.