Abstract: A method is provided for making a mold for casting advanced turbine airfoils (e.g. gas turbine blade and vane castings) which can include complex internal and external air cooling features to improve efficiency of airfoil cooling during operation in the gas turbine hot gas stream. The method steps involve incorporating at least one fugitive insert in a ceramic material in a manner to form a core and at least a portion of an integral, cooperating mold wall wherein the core defines an internal cooling feature to be imparted to the cast airfoil and the at least portion of the mold wall has an inner surface that defines an external cooling feature to be imparted to the cast airfoil, selectively removing the fugitive insert, and incorporating the core and the at least portion of the integral, cooperating mold wall in a mold for receiving molten metal or alloy cast in the mold.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a mold for casting advanced turbine airfoils (e.g. gas turbine blade and vane castings) which can include complex internal and external air cooling features to improve efficiency of airfoil cooling during operation in the gas turbine hot gas stream. The method steps involve incorporating at least one fugitive insert in a ceramic material in a manner to form a core and at least a portion of an integral, cooperating mold wall wherein the core defines an internal cooling feature to be imparted to the cast airfoil and the at least portion of the mold wall has an inner surface that defines an external cooling feature to be imparted to the cast airfoil, selectively removing the fugitive insert, and incorporating the core and the at least portion of the integral, cooperating mold wall in a mold for receiving molten metal or alloy cast in the mold.

Abstract: Directionally solidified superalloy components having a bulk sulfur concentration of less than 1 part per million by weight are provided by vacuum melting a charge to form a superalloy melt, desulfurizing the melt by contact with a calcium-bearing desulfurizing agent for a time to reduce sulfur concentration of the melt to less than 1 ppm by weight, casting the melt directly or following solidification and remelting in a ceramic investment mold, and directionally solidifying the melt as cast components without adverse bulk sulfur pick-up subsequent to desulfurization to provide castings having a sulfur content below 1 ppm, such as in the range of hundreds of parts per billion to provide significantly improved oxidation resistance.