Analysis of Power Tool Process on Surface Roughness Values in Confined Spaces

Abstract

Corrosion is one of the main causes of damage to metal structures, particularly in the shipbuilding industry. It reduces material quality and service life, and can pose significant safety risks. To control corrosion, protective coating must be applied, and its effectiveness is highly dependent on the quality of surface preparation. Power tooling is a commonly used surface preparation method to remove contaminants such as rust, oil, and dirt that may affect coating adhesion. This method offers advantages such as ease of use, relatively low cost, and the ability to access confined spaces. This study aims to analyze the effect of using power tools to achieve a surface cleanliness level of St 3 (according to ISO 8501-1) on surface roughness and working time for steel specimens measuring 300 mm × 300 mm × 5 mm. A case study was also conducted on both flat and confined space surfaces to simulate real-world conditions commonly encountered onboard ships. Parameters measured include surface roughness values using standard instruments and duration of work in each area. The power tool test on flat surfaces produced an average surface roughness of 42.3 µm with a working time of 5 minutes and 10 seconds. In confined space areas, four tests were conducted: Area 1 yielded 48.5 µm roughness with 9 minutes 7 seconds working time; Area 2 yielded 36.5 µm with 11 minutes 35 seconds; Area 3 yielded 34.5 µm with 9 minutes 24 seconds; and Area 4 yielded 48.5 µm with 10 minutes 21 seconds.