Abstract: A plasma spray system including a turntable subsystem operable to position a multiple of work pieces on a respective multiple of workpiece mounts; a plasma spray subsystem operable to plasma spray the multiple of work pieces on said turntable subsystem; and an overspray wash subsystem operable to wash the multiple of work pieces on said turntable subsystem subsequent to plasma spray of the multiple of work pieces.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for removing overspray from a substrate. A coating material may be plasma sprayed on a substrate utilizing Suspension Plasma Spray or Solution Precursor Plasma Spray. The plasma spray may deposit loosely adhered overspray on the substrate. A pressurized gas may be directed at the overspray to remove the overspray from the component.

Abstract: An investment mold includes a refractory investment wall that has a surface region that bounds at least a portion of a mold cavity for receiving a molten metallic material. At least a portion of the surface region includes at least one metallic donor element with respect to the molten metallic material. Upon exposure of the surface region to the molten metallic material, the metallic donor element dopes into the molten metallic material. The method can be used to fabricate a cast article. The cast article can include a body formed of a metallic material having at least one reactive metallic element with respect to reactive-element-loss in an investment casting process. The body can include at least one internal passage that has a surface region that is compositionally rich in the reactive metallic element, which is doped into the body from the surface region of the refractory investment wall.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an investment casting mold includes using a zircon-containing slurry to form a facecoat of a refractory investment wall of a mold cavity in an investment casting mold. The zircon-containing slurry includes, by weight, at least 70% of zircon powder. Also disclosed is a slurry for use in an investment casting mold. The slurry includes, by weight, at least 70% of zircon powder, 10%-30% of colloidal silica material, and 1%-10% of a carrier solvent. The method and slurry can be used to fabricate an investment casting mold that has a refractory investment wall with a facecoat having, by weight, at least 70% zircon.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component in a die casting cell that includes a die casting system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, isolating a first chamber from a second chamber of the die casting system, melting a charge of material in the first chamber, sealing the second chamber relative to the first chamber, and simultaneously injecting the charge of material within the second chamber to cast the component and melting a second charge of material within the first chamber.

Abstract: A die casting and a method for die casting a metal having a melting temperature of at least 1500° F. (815° C.) are disclosed. A molten volume of metal is injected to a casting die which includes a main cavity corresponding to an as-cast structure, a first reservoir, and a first runner arrangement. The first runner arrangement is configured to fluidly communicate molten metal between the first reservoir and the main cavity. After the injecting step, the casting die is sealed. The injected molten volume of metal is equiaxially solidified generally from a first portion of the main cavity distal to the first reservoir toward a second portion of the main cavity proximal to the first reservoir. During the equiaxial solidifying step, the main cavity is backfilled with at least a portion of the injected molten volume via the first runner arrangement.

Abstract: A die casting system includes a die, a shot tube, a melting system and a vacuum system. The die includes a plurality of die components that define a die cavity. The shot tube is in fluid communication with the die cavity and is operable to deliver a charge of material to the die cavity. The melting system is positioned adjacent to the die and includes an alloy loader, a melting unit and a crucible. The vacuum system defines a first chamber and a second chamber separated from the first chamber by an isolation valve. The melting system is disposed within the first chamber, and the die is disposed within the second chamber.

Abstract: A casting die includes a main cavity, a first reservoir and a first vent. The main cavity has a first interior volume for receiving a first molten volume of metal. The first reservoir is in serial fluid communication with the main cavity for storing a first molten backfill volume of metal to accommodate solidification shrinkage in the main cavity. The first vent is in serial fluid communication with the first reservoir.

Abstract: A high-temperature die casting die includes a first die plate with a first recess and a second die plate with a second recess, the first and second recesses defining a main part cavity and gating. A grain selector is in fluid communication with the main cavity, and an in situ zone refining apparatus is adapted to apply a localized thermal gradient to at least one of the first and second die plates. The localized thermal gradient and the at least one die plate are movable relative to each other so as to apply the localized thermal gradient along a first direction extending from the grain selector longitudinally across the main part cavity.

Abstract: An example die casting system includes a die that defines a cavity having a first section and a second section. The first section is configured to receive a first portion of a component. The second section is configured to receive a molten material. The die holds the molten material as the molten material solidifies to form a second portion of the component.

Abstract: A coated article has: a metallic substrate; a bondcoat; and a thermal barrier coating (TBC). The bondcoat has an MCrAlY first layer and an MCrAlY second layer, the second layer having a lower Cr content than the first layer.

Abstract: An investment casting core includes a mullite-containing core body. The body can be made by providing a mullite-containing powder, forming the powder into a green body, and sintering the green body to form the mullite-containing core body.

Abstract: A method for desulfurizing a metal alloy comprises heating the metal alloy to a molten state. A gaseous desulfurizing compound is bubbled through the molten alloy to form a solid sulfur-containing waste phase and a molten reduced-sulfur alloy phase. The solid waste phase and the molten reduced-sulfur alloy phase are separated. The gaseous desulfurizing compound includes a constituent element selected from the group: alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and rare earth metals.

Abstract: A method for controlling a temperature of a portion of a die casting system having a shot tube plunger, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, communicating a fluid through a fluid inlet of a fluid passageway of a thermal control scheme of the shot tube plunger. The fluid circulates through the fluid passageway of the thermal control scheme to selectively adjust a temperature of the shot tube plunger. The fluid is discharged through a fluid outlet of the fluid passageway.

Abstract: A high-temperature die casting die includes a first die plate with a first recess and a second die plate with a second recess, the first and second recesses defining a main part cavity and gating. A grain selector is in fluid communication with the main cavity, and an in situ zone refining apparatus is adapted to apply a localized thermal gradient to at least one of the first and second die plates. The localized thermal gradient and the at least one die plate are movable relative to each other so as to apply the localized thermal gradient along a first direction extending from the grain selector longitudinally across the main part cavity.

Abstract: A high-temperature die casting apparatus comprises a die and a chiller. The die has a first die plate and a second die plate with respective first and second recesses defining a main part cavity and gating. The apparatus can be used for die casting metal alloys having a melting temperature of at least about 1500° F. (about 815° C.).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a casting article for use in a casting process includes rapidly forming the casting article out of a metallic material. A ceramic coating is applied to an exterior surface of the casting article.

Abstract: A die casting system includes a die having a plurality of die elements that define a die cavity. A charge of material is received in the die cavity. The charge of material may comprises a refractory metal intermetallic composite based material system. The charge of material may also comprise a composite material.

Abstract: A shot tube plunger of a die casting system includes a tip portion and a thermal control scheme at least partially disposed within the shot tube plunger. The thermal control scheme includes a fluid passageway having at least one coiled portion that receives a fluid to adjust a temperature of the shot tube plunger.

Abstract: A casting die comprises a main cavity, a first reservoir and a first vent. The main cavity has a first interior volume for receiving a first molten volume of metal. The first reservoir is in serial fluid communication with the main cavity for storing a first molten backfill volume of metal to accommodate solidification shrinkage in the main cavity. The first vent is in serial fluid communication with the first reservoir.