All aircraft may seem alike but if a plane is for military purposes versus commercial use, there are many more compliance issues at play. That means using the right pre-vetted materials for applications like media blasting.
Military parts have different specifications than commercial or private airliners. Almost every product the military purchases must meet specific military specifications or MIL-SPEC. MIL-SPEC approved plastic media is no exception because it means it has been approved for use on military craft.
Finding the Right Media
Mil-spec plastic media is a particle-sized abrasive that is used for many reasons, including stripping aircraft paint. For military craft, it is not just about the aesthetic. It is also about fuel efficiency. There are many factors that impact the fuel efficiency of a craft, one of which is the paint.
When paint bubbles, chips, or hangs loose, it can increase the drag on the plane. Most planes are designed to fuel down to specific measurements. Being off even a little can have a major impact on the next operation.
Plastic Media
Plastic media is then used to strip off old or damaged paint. Getting the paint off so that the plane can be repainted is important as you don’t want to damage the metal beneath. A plastic media is hard enough to remove the paint but soft enough that it won’t damage the metal beneath. This media is blown at high speeds, working to get beneath the paint quickly and effectively. It is just a matter of finding the right specific plastic media.
