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Wet blasting for aerospace and aviation MRO and OEMs
We supply wet blasting systems trusted by aerospace OEMs and MROs for controlled, repeatable surface finishing. Our equipment prepares jet engine components for NDT by removing scale, resist and in-service contamination to deliver inspection-ready surfaces. It also supports engine peening workflows where surface condition influences fatigue life and crack resistance. For wheels, our systems strip coatings, and clean and prepare surfaces for NDT.
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Applications for wet blasting in aerospace and aviation
Jet engine prep for NDT
Jet engine component cleaning and surface conditioning for NDT - for both MRO operations and OEMs.
Jet engine peening
Jet engine blades, discs and other engine component peening for MRO operations and OEMs.
Wheel cleaning and stripping
Aircraft wheel cleaning and paint stripping for NDT - for MRO and OEM operations.
Aircraft toilet maintenance
Safe and hygienic MRO aircraft toilet component cleaning and reconditioning.
Propeller and helicopter blades
Rapid and thorough paint stripping and cleaning of propeller and helicopter blades for NDT and re-coating.
Undercarriage components
Undercarriage component cleaning and surface preparation for MRO operations and OEMs.
FAQs
What is wet blasting used for in aerospace and aviation?
Aerospace MRO shops and OEMs use wet blasting to clean jet engine components for NDT, wet shot peen blades and discs, and strip paint from wheels, brakes, landing gear, propellers and helicopter rotor blades. It is also used to descale and recondition aircraft lavatory components. One machine can often handle several of these jobs by changing the media and process recipe.
Who invented wet blasting?
Wet blasting was developed in the late 1940s by Norman Ashworth, working alongside Sir Frank Whittle during the development of the jet engine. The process was created specifically to meet the surface quality demands of jet engine components. Vapormatt grew from that origin and has been developing the technology for aerospace ever since.
Is wet blasting approved in aerospace OEM specifications?
Yes. Wet blasting is referenced in process specifications from Rolls-Royce (RPS386, RRP56001, RPS428), Pratt & Whitney (SPOP16, POP315-AC, POP317-N), GE (P11TF8) and Airbus (AIPS02-02-003, which names wet blasting directly). Vapormatt's automatic peening machines comply with SAE AMS 2432 for computer-monitored shot peening.
Why do aerospace MROs and OEMs choose wet blasting over dry blasting or chemical stripping?
Wet blasting combines cleaning, degreasing and paint stripping in a single pass, which removes separate chemical and drying stages. Because the abrasive is carried in water, it produces no airborne dust and removes the ATEX requirement when processing titanium. It also leaves surfaces clean and open for NDT. Every process parameter can be controlled and logged, which supports audit and traceability requirements.
Learn more about wet blasting vs other surface finishing processes
What results have aerospace customers achieved with Vapormatt wet blasting?
- Pratt & Whitney cut compressor hub processing from 3 hours to 20 minutes using an automatic Leopard Cub.
- GE Aerospace (formerly GE Aviation) reduced total component processing time from 430 hours to 88 hours with a Leopard.
- In a European MRO trial, A350 inner wheel half stripping fell from 120 minutes to 58 minutes with no chemical pre-treatment.
Which Vapormatt machines are used for aerospace applications?
- The Leopard and Leopard Cub are automatic, AMS 2432 compliant machines for peening and cleaning engine components.
- The Sabre is a five-axis CNC cell for high-value parts with complex geometry.
- The Cougar+ is a configurable automatic machine for production peening and high-volume wheel shops.
- The Puma and Puma XL are manual machines suited to MRO work where components vary between jobs.
Is Vapormatt an approved aerospace and defence supplier?
Vapormatt holds NATO NCAGE code U5895, recognising it as a supplier to civil and military aerospace programmes. Its machines are used by engine OEMs, airlines, air forces and MRO organisations worldwide. The Vapormatt 4.0 monitoring system records process data that customers use within their AS9100, Nadcap, EASA Part 145 and FAA Part 43 quality systems.
How much does an aerospace wet blasting machine cost?
The price depends on component size, throughput, level of automation and compliance requirements. A manual machine for MRO work costs considerably less than an automatic, AMS 2432 compliant peening cell with full cycle logging. Vapormatt quotes each machine against your components and specifications. Our guide to buying a wet blasting machine explains the main cost factors.
What information do you need to recommend a wet blasting process for our aerospace components?
Tell us:
- the component and material
- the contamination or coating to be removed
- the result you need (NDT preparation, peening or recoating)
- the OEM or process specification you work to
Our application engineers can then process sample components at our UK test facility and return documented results before you commit to a machine.
Where are Vapormatt machines made and how are they supported worldwide?
Vapormatt designs and builds its machines in the UK. The company has more than 2,000 machines installed in over 50 countries. Customers get parts, servicing and upgrades from Vapormatt directly and through its global partner network, and existing machines can be retrofitted with Vapormatt 4.0 remote monitoring.