Abstract: The tooling includes a central die member and an outer die member spaced thereabout to form an annular, draftless chamber for receiving a composite preform. An annular punch is received in the chamber for pressing the preform at an elevated temperature sufficient to consolidate and bond the preform into the desired composite. The tooling with the preform therein can be enclosed in a gas impermeable envelope (e.g., a steel can) and hot isostatically pressed at the elevated temperature to press the punch against the preform for purposes of consolidation. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the central die member is selected greater than that of the outer die member and the consolidated composite to facilitate removal of the composite from the draftless chamber.

Abstract: A method of making a hollow article, for example, a hollow airfoil, from first and second preformed sections involves a first precursor (seal) bonding step where a low external pressure and internal vacuum are utilized to form a substantially gas impermeable seal bond between opposing bonding surfaces of the sections with only limited distortion of one of the sections and no distortion of the other section, a diffusion bonding step where a high external and high internal pressure is utilized to form a complete parent metal diffusion bond between the bonding surfaces without distortion of either section and an inflation step where a high external and high internal pressure are utilized to remove the limited distortion from the affected section without distortion of the unaffected section. The inflation step and diffusion bonding step can be combined into one operation to provide a two step method of making the hollow article.

Abstract: A method for making a hollow article, for example, a hollow airfoil, from first and second preformed sections involves first forming a precursor fluid impermeable (seal) diffusion bond between opposing bonding surfaces. The precursor bond is formed by subjecting the assembled sections to coordinated pressure-time-temperature conditions where a first high external pressure is applied to reduce any gaps between the opposing bonding surfaces and then a second lower external pressure is applied to actually form the precursor diffusion bond with only limited distortion of one of the sections and no distortion of the other section. In a second step of the method, the precursor bonded sections are subjected to coordinated pressure-time-temperature conditions where a high external and high internal pressure are utilized to form a complete patent metal diffusion bond between the bonding surfaces without distortion of either section.

Abstract: An electrode or cathode assembly includes at least one electrode moveable relatively toward a workpart such as a turbine blade. The electrode includes a primary work face for machining the airfoil portion of the turbine blade. The electrode further includes secondary workfaces transverse to the primary workface for machining the shroud portion and the platform portion of the turbine blade which extend at negative angles transverses to the airfoil portion of the turbine blade. The primary workface comprises upper and lower electrode portions each having a plurality of fingers. The fingers of the upper electrode portion are alternatively disposed among the fingers of the lower electrode portion such that the opposing fingers interleave side by side with one another when the primary workface is closed.

Abstract: An improved method of making an airfoil includes stacking plies in two groups. A separator ply is positioned between the two groups of plies. The groups of plies and the separator ply are interconnected to form an airfoil blank. The airfoil blank is shaped, by forging or other methods, to have a desired configuration. The material of the separator ply is then dissolved or otherwise removed from between the two sections of the airfoil blank to provide access to the interior of the airfoil blank. Material is removed from inner sides of the two separated sections to form core receiving cavities. After cores have been placed in the cavities, the two sections of the airfoil blank are interconnected and the shaping of the airfoil is completed. The cores are subsequently removed from the completed airfoil.

Abstract: A metal workpiece, such as a gear blank, is forged in a press. The workpiece is first heated and then placed in a working chamber above the press. Force is applied against opposite sides of the workpiece to press the metal of the workpiece outwardly against a sidewall formed by a ring die and inwardly against a side surface of a removable center section. After the workpiece has been shaped, the workpiece and the center section are removed from the working chamber of the press with the center section firmly gripped by the workpiece. The workpiece is then allowed to cool and the center section is separated from the workpiece.

Abstract: An improved method of making an airfoil includes stacking plies in two groups. A separator ply is positioned between the two groups of plies. The groups of plies and the separator ply are interconnected to form an airfoil blank. The airfoil blank is shaped, by forging or other methods, to have a desired configuration. The material of the separator ply is then dissolved or otherwise removed from between the two sections of the airfoil blank to provide access to the interior of the airfoil blank. Material is removed from inner sides of the two separated sections to form core receiving cavities. After cores have been placed in the cavities, the two sections of the airfoil blank are interconnected and the shaping of the airfoil is completed. The cores are subsequently removed from the completed airfoil.

Abstract: There is provided an improved process for isothermal shaping of a titanium-containing workpiece in a hot die. A precoat lubricant composition including a glassy component and a solid lubricant such as graphite dispersed in an organic medium is applied to the workpiece, and the workpiece heated to a temperature sufficient to remove the organic medium to leave a residue of glassy material and graphite on the workpiece. The workpiece is then inserted in a heated split die, and the die loaded to alter the shape of the workpiece. The ratio of the solid lubricant to the glassy component is at least one to one. The particle size of the glassy component is important to the surface character of the finally shaped workpiece.

Abstract: A composition useful in isothermal forging or sizing of metal articles comprising a major amount of a glass moiety fusible at a temperature below forging or sizing temperature, and a minor amount of a finely divided abrasive moiety dispersed in the glass moiety and having a predetermined hardness.