Abstract: An apparatus for casting a part that includes a first housing, a second housing, a handling system and a cooling apparatus. The first housing defines a first chamber. The first chamber is configured to receive a melt heater and a mold heater. The second housing is configured to move between a first position and a second position such that when the second housing is in the first position, the first housing is open such that a mold can be inserted therein and when the second housing is in the second position, the second housing and the first housing define a second chamber. The cooling apparatus is configured to be positioned within the second chamber.

Abstract: A method for casting a part, that includes the steps of: introducing a mold into a first housing; engaging the first housing with a second housing to define a second chamber; melting an ingot within the furnace; reducing pressure within the second chamber to a first predetermined pressure; pouring at least a portion of the melted ingot into the mold; adding an gas to the second chamber to raise the pressure to a second predetermined pressure; moving the mold such that it is engaged with the means for cooling; and solidifying the liquid metal within the mold.

Abstract: A method for producing a cast component is provided. The method includes attaching a ceramic mold to a seed crystal body, the ceramic mold including a cavity defining the shape of the cast component and a seed crystal body interface having a complementary shape to the seed crystal body such that the seed crystal body may be capable of supporting the ceramic mold in a casting oven. The method also includes pouring a liquid metal into the mold such that the crystal seed portion contributes to controlled crystallization of the cast component.

Abstract: A method for producing a cast component is provided. The method includes attaching a ceramic mold to a seed crystal body, the ceramic mold including a cavity defining the shape of the cast component and a seed crystal body interface having a complementary shape to the seed crystal body such that the seed crystal body may be capable of supporting the ceramic mold in a casting oven. The method also includes pouring a liquid metal into the mold such that the crystal seed portion contributes to controlled crystallization of the cast component.

Abstract: A method for casting a part, that includes the steps of: introducing a mold into a first housing; engaging the first housing with a second housing to define a second chamber; melting an ingot within the furnace; reducing pressure within the second chamber to a first predetermined pressure; pouring at least a portion of the melted ingot into the mold; adding an gas to the second chamber to raise the pressure to a second predetermined pressure; moving the mold such that it is engaged with the means for cooling; and solidifying the liquid metal within the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for casting a part that includes a first housing, a second housing, a handling system and a means for cooling. The first housing defines a first chamber. The first chamber is configured to receive a melt heater and a mold heater. The second housing is configured to move between a first position and a second position such that when the second housing is in the first position, the first housing is open such that a mold can be inserted therein and when the second housing is in the second position, the second housing and the first housing define a second chamber. The means for cooling is configured to be positioned within the second chamber.

Abstract: A composition useful as a thermal barrier coating on a superalloy substrate intended for use in hostile thermal environments. The coating comprises zirconia stabilized in a predominately tetragonal phase. The composition includes a ceramic component consisting essentially of zirconia (ZrO2) or a combination of zirconia and hafnia (HfO2) and a stabilizer component comprising, in combination, a first co-stabilizer selected from YbO1.5, HoO1.5, ErO1.5, TmO1.5, LuO1.5, and combinations thereof, and optionally YO1.5, a second co-stabilizer selected from TiO2, PdO2, VO2, GeO2, and combinations thereof, and a third co-stabilizer comprising TaO2.5. The stabilizer component is present in an amount effective to achieve the predominantly tetragonal phase in the coating.

Abstract: Method for forming directionally solidified articles in tightly packed mold cavities withdrawn into liquid metal cooling bath. The withdrawal rate and the spacing between adjacent mold cavities cooperate to provide a high thermal gradient. The cast articles exhibit primary dendrite arm spacing of between about 6 to about 12 mils (about 150-300 microns).

Abstract: A coating applied as a two layer system. The outer layer is an oxide of a group IV metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium oxide, hafnium oxide and combinations thereof, which are doped with an effective amount of a lanthanum series oxide. These metal oxides doped with a lanthanum series addition comprises a high weight percentage of the outer coating. As used herein, lanthanum series means an element selected from the group consisting of lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), lutetium (Lu) and combinations thereof, and lanthanum series oxides are oxides of these elements. When the zirconium oxide is doped with an effective amount of a lanthanum series oxide, a dense reaction layer is formed at the interface of the outer layer of TBC and the CMAS. This dense reaction layer prevents CMAS infiltration below it.

Abstract: This invention relates to a metal alloy, comprised of two elements, a solute and a solvent, the solute having a maximum equilibrium solid solubility (at one atmosphere pressure) of less than 1 wt. -% in the solvent, the solvent and the solute dissolved therein forming a matrix phase, the matrix phase having a subgrain structure defined by subgrain boundaries and particles at intersections of the boundaries, the subgrains having an average size of less than 5 microns in diameter, and, within the subgrains a dispersion of particles which are finer than the particles at the subgrain boundaries, both types of particles being harder than the matrix phase.