Abstract: A protection mask used during surface treatment for a turbomachine blade, including for example a sand blasting step and/or a metal coating step, includes at least one part matching the shape of a portion of the blade. The mask is designed to resist surface treatment effects and to be placed on the surface to be protected, and can form a removable and reusable tool according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protection mask used during treatment of surfaces of turbomachine blades including a sand blasting step and/or a metal coating step. The mask is designed to resist surface treatment effects and to be placed on the surface to be protected, and forms a removable and reusable tool according to the invention. The use of such a tool improves the quality and productivity of treatment operations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heavy-duty metal brush particularly, but not exclusively, for removing anti-corrosion materials from an immersed metal surface.The brush comprises a compact assembly of radial strands of, for example, steel wire, which are applied against each other and are clamped between two metal plates, the diameter of which is less than that of the assembly of strands by at most 20 mm.In use of such a brush for removing an anticorrosion covering, the brush may be rotated at a circumferential speed of the order of 17 meters per second and may be mounted on a carriage adapted to roll over the surface on rollers and which is displaced either automatically or manually.

Abstract: A process for tapping a region of a pipe placed on a sea bed utilizes a working platform which is installed vertically above the region of the pipe to be tapped, the platform being adapted to receive a support girder which can be lowered from the surface of the sea onto the working platform and be engaged therewith and then lifted off the platform. The platform is adapted to receive successively a plurality of modular tool-carriers provided with tools for carrying out a variety of operations on the pipe, the operations including concrete stripping, removal of anti-corrosion covering, transverse cutting, internal brushing, and making the longitudinal weld flush.

Abstract: The invention concerns the removal of a concrete covering applied to an underlying surface provided with an anti-corrosion coating, for example that of a hydrocarbon-conveying pipe.The coating is removed by making trenches in the concrete to divide it into removable elements, the trenches being made using a cylindrical milling cutter having a longitudinal diamond-faced toothing and provided with a central stud of tungsten carbide projecting axially from the end of the cutter. In use the stud contacts the surface to prevent the surface being damaged by the toothing on the cutter as the cutter is moved transversely across the surface. To initiate a concrete covering removal operation, a hole is first drilled through the covering perpendicular to the surface for receiving the stud. The cutter is then moved perpendicularly to the surface through the concrete with the stud projecting into the drilled hole and until the stud contacts the surface.