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This report summarizes engineering testing and evaluation of two low-volatile organic compound (VOC) cleaning solvents (WLS R-27M and Turco 4460-BK) and one over-the-counter, biodegradable solvent (De-Solv-lt) for use as cleaners of carbon-epoxy composite surfaces. The cleaners would be used prior to electrolytic deposition of copper and tin (or copper and nickel) plating on carbon-composite aircraft fuel tank structure. Turco 4460-BK was qualified for use on one military air vehicle as a cleaning solvent, because this solvent cleaner passed the required lightning strike and adhesion testing.

Lightning protection plating on military airplane carbon-composite parts is a process that requires careful handling of the final product, especially during maintenance of fuel, hydraulic, and electrical systems installations. This paper and the accompanying ten-minute videotape focus on the primary reasons for having to take special precautions with lightning-protection plating (especially low plating adhesion--between 1 and 2 pounds per inch-width) and the engineering rework procedures that have been developed to return damaged plating to the original configuration specified in the engineering drawing.