Abstract: A tool for holding a blade blank (1) comprises a frame (13) in which a control system using clamping jaws (18, 19) and lifters (30, 34, 35) grips the blade and holds it in position vertically on two supporting faces (22, 23), while the blade has been laid on three lateral faces (41, 42, 43). The blade is thus simultaneously held in a precise position and gripped sufficiently tightly, with a single control main mechanism. The mounting of the blade is thus greatly simplified and it may be subjected without further precaution to a manufacturing operation such as welding by friction to a rotor disk.

Abstract: In order to obtain sheets made of a nickel-based superalloy of type 718 having properties of superplasticity, the sheets are manufactured with a final cycle comprising the steps of: a) solution treatment at 1060° C. for 15 minutes; b) precipitation at 730° C. to 800° C. for 1 to 2 hours; c) cold rolling at a ratio greater than 60%, and d) recrystallization at 900° C. for 30 minutes. Superplastic deformation of such sheets is carried out at about 970±10° C. and under pressures inducing stresses between 45 and 60 MPa.