Generation of homogeneous flows of fast argon atoms to remove wear-resistant coatings from a product surface

Abstract

Abstract A new method is used for stripping coatings from any products before application of new coatings that extend their service life. To fulfil this task it is proposed to act on the surface with energetic atoms. The effectiveness of energetic atoms for stripping the coating is determined by the sputtering rate, which grew because of twentyfold compression of their flow. A 3-μm-thick AlTiN film was removed from a 12-cm2 surface area of a 1-cm-diameter cylinder made of tungsten carbide within 12 min.