Fluoride ion cleaning is a controlled gaseous chemical process that removes:
During fluoride ion cleaning, the component is exposed to fluorine‑containing process gases at high temperatures in a controlled furnace environment to precisely remove oxides and effectively clean the surface.
Fluoride ion cleaning is essential in aerospace because it provides non-destructive, precise, and thorough cleaning for complex, high-performance components. It supports refurbishment, preserves part integrity, and contributes to overall safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness in aircraft maintenance and engine manufacturing.
Superalloy turbine blades can be coated by doped aluminization (CVA) or cleaned during maintenance operations (aluminization removal) using FIC process (Fluoride Ion Cleaning). The FIC process is the best cleaning process to remove oxides on superalloys before welding or brazing operations.
Turbine blades operate under extreme conditions, including very high temperatures ranging from 800 to 1,500°C, as well as oxidizing and hot corrosion environments caused by salt and sulfur attack. Over time, this exposure leads to the formation of surface oxides, internal oxidation, corrosion layers, and sulfidation damage.
FIC allows removal of these degradation layers without mechanically damaging the base metal, which is critical for expensive superalloy blades.
The blade is heated in a furnace (typically 1,000°C) and exposed to a fluoride-containing gas (e.g., HF). Fluoride ions react with metal oxides according to the following reaction:
Metal Oxide + Fluoride → Volatile Metal Fluoride
These metal fluorides either
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