3M™ SR Rotary Cutter and SR Radial Bristle Discs
For Seam Sealant Removal
Faster, safer, more effective seam sealant removal. The 3M SR Rotary Cutter is a plastic rotary cutting tool with an integral metal mandrel, available in diameters of 10mm and 25mm. The cutter runs at low speed (1,000 RPM) on right angled drills to remove thick seam sealant without damaging the underlying paint, primer, alodine or metal. Use together with the SR Radial Bristle disc to clean up all remaining sealant.
Critical aircraft maintenance and repair tasks depend on effective seam sealant removal. When airline mechanics need to repair wing panels, replace fuel tanks, or work with many other surfaces, they may first need to remove the sealant from the seams. This task is an integral part of every aircraft mechanic's job.
Until now, there were limited choices for removing seam sealant. One was to use chemical solvents, which raise health, safety, and environmental concerns. Most solvents contain volatile organic compounds, which endanger the health of the mechanics who use them, and that of anyone else working nearby. Solvents also take time to work, and can be messy to clean up. The other choice for removing seam sealant was hand scraping, which is slow, expensive, and inconsistent. Scraping by hand is time-consuming, and can lead to repetitive-motion stress injuries. In addition, some scraping tools can damage the surfaces under the seam sealant. Wire brushes, for example, can weaken aircraft aluminium and weaken the integrity of the aircraft.
Now there's a better choice. The 3M SR Rotary Cutter eliminates the need for harsh chemicals, which means there's no need for specialised ventilation, respirators, or cleanup equipment. It also replaces hand scraping, which saves time, effort, and money while providing smoother results in about half the time. Along with the 3M SR Radial Bristle Disc, which is designed to remove thinner layers of sealant, the SR Rotary Cutter speeds and simplifies sealant removal for aircraft maintenance and repair.
Applications:
- Removal of polysulfide and FIP sealants from faying surfaces on inspection;
- Removal of sealants from access panels on aircraft fuselage and wings;
- Removal of polysulfide sealants from airframes between aircraft skins and supporting stringers;
- Removal of polysulfide sealants from internal fuel tanks;
- Removal of silicone and RTV sealants from engine cowlings and components.
