Acid Stripping: Controlled Removal of Coatings and Surface Layers

Acid stripping is a chemical process used to remove coatings, oxides, or surface contaminants from metal components without damaging the underlying substrate. It is essential in applications where precision, part integrity, and cleanliness are critical — such as rework, refurbishment, or preparation for reprocessing. Commonly used in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing industries, acid stripping supports quality assurance and lifecycle management of valuable metal parts.

The Acid Stripping Process: Key Steps

Pre-Cleaning: Parts are cleaned to remove oils, dirt, or other contaminants that could interfere with the stripping process.
Immersion in Acid Stripping Solution: The component is submerged in a carefully formulated acid bath designed to remove specific coatings or oxides.
Controlled Dwell Time: Time, temperature, and agitation are tightly managed to prevent over-stripping or substrate damage.
Rinsing and Neutralization: After stripping, parts are thoroughly rinsed and neutralized to remove residual acids and stabilize the surface.
Post-Processing or Re-Coating: Clean, bare surfaces are ready for inspection, reworking, or re-coating as needed.

Applications of Acid Stripping

Coating Removal: Strips paint, plating, or anodized layers from metal parts for rework or recycling.
Oxide Removal: Eliminates corrosion layers or heat scale from high-value components.
Surface Restoration: Prepares parts for reprocessing or inspection without introducing mechanical stress.
Part Reuse in Aerospace or Military Applications: Enables component refurbishment in strict quality environments.

Importance of Water Quality in Acid Stripping

Water is essential in rinsing and neutralizing acid-stripped parts. Contaminated or impure water can leave residues, impact coating adhesion, or cause surface staining.

Deionized (DI) Water Rinsing: Ensures a clean, contamination-free finish post-stripping.
Closed-Loop Rinse Water Systems: Maintains purity, minimizes waste, and supports consistent process results.

Importance of Process Control in Acid Stripping

Precise control over chemical concentration, exposure time, temperature, and agitation is critical to ensure effectiveness without harming the substrate.

Consistency: Achieves uniform removal across the part surface.
Quality: Preserves part geometry and surface integrity for downstream processing.
Efficiency: Minimizes chemical usage, waste generation, and processing time.

The Role of Equipment Design in Acid Stripping

AQUASGROUP acid stripping systems are engineered to deliver safe, repeatable results with precise chemistry control and robust system integration.

Corrosion-Resistant Construction: Designed to withstand aggressive chemistries and extend equipment life.
Automated Chemistry Monitoring: Real-time control of solution strength, temperature, and dwell time.
Effective Agitation: Enhances chemical contact and stripping uniformity, improving speed and consistency.
Integrated Rinse and Neutralization: Ensures clean part exit and environmental compliance.
Safety Features: Fume extraction, level control, and automated shutoffs protect operators and facilities.
Custom Solutions: Tailored for aerospace, defense, and high-precision industrial environments.

Proven Experience Since 1986

With thousands of installations worldwide, AQUASGROUP has been designing and building advanced chemical processing systems — including acid stripping lines — since 1986. Our engineered solutions support high-performance industries with systems that deliver precision, efficiency, and long-term reliability while advancing sustainability goals.