Abstract: Methods for cleaning a superalloy substrate having engine deposits on its surface are provided. The method may include applying a permanganate solution onto the surface of the superalloy substrate, and applying a ferric chloride based cleaning composition onto the surface of the superalloy substrate. The ferric chloride based cleaning composition includes ferric chloride and at least one of nitric acid and phosphoric acid, such as within a solvent system (e.g., an aqueous solution including water).

Abstract: Methods for cleaning a superalloy substrate having engine deposits on its surface are provided. The method may include applying a permanganate solution onto the surface of the superalloy substrate, and applying a ferric chloride based cleaning composition onto the surface of the superalloy substrate. The ferric chloride based cleaning composition includes ferric chloride and at least one of nitric acid and phosphoric acid, such as within a solvent system (e.g., an aqueous solution including water).

Abstract: A cleaning composition, and method for use of the cleaning composition to clean metal surfaces, such as the surfaces of turbomachinery components, is presented. For example, a method includes contacting a surface of an article with a cleaning composition, wherein the article comprises a metal and wherein the surface includes an oxide; and removing the cleaning composition from the surface. The cleaning composition has a viscosity of at least 104 poise, and comprises a thickening agent and an acidic matrix having selective reactivity with the oxide.

Abstract: A process of fabricating a rotating component and a rotating component formed thereby. The rotating component has a rotational axis, at least one rim member, at least one disk member, and at least one airfoil member. The rim and disk members are welded together to define a first solid-state weld joint lying in a first plane that is not parallel to the rotational axis of the rotating component. The airfoil member is welded to the rim member to define a second solid-state weld joint lying in a second plane that is not parallel to the rotational axis of the rotating component. The rim member is located in a radially outward direction from the disk member, and the airfoil member is located in a radially outward direction from the rim member.

Abstract: A process of fabricating a rotating component and components formed thereby. The process includes fabricating preforms corresponding to portions of the component. Each preform has an interface surface at which the preforms can be joined to locate a first of the portions in a radially outward direction from a second of the portions. The preforms are then inertia welded together to form a profile having a solid-state weld joint containing a finer-grained material than other portions of the profile. The profile is then forged with dies to produce a forging. At least one of the dies has a recess into which the finer-grained material from the weld joint is expelled during forging to purge a joint region of the forging between the forging portions of the finer-grained material. The joint region contains grains distorted in an axial direction of the forging.

Abstract: Gas turbine engine compressor disks having a hot flowpath side; a shaft having a first surface positioned in the hot flowpath side; and a thermal barrier applied to at least the first surface of the shaft where the thermal barrier is operable to maintain the temperature of the shaft below about 700° C. (1300° F.) when the hot flowpath side experiences a service operating temperature of from about 700° C. (1300° F.) to about 788° C. (1450° F.).

Abstract: A process of fabricating a rotating component and a rotating component formed thereby. The rotating component has a rotational axis, at least one rim member, at least one disk member, and at least one airfoil member. The rim and disk members are welded together to define a first solid-state weld joint lying in a first plane that is not parallel to the rotational axis of the rotating component. The airfoil member is welded to the rim member to define a second solid-state weld joint lying in a second plane that is not parallel to the rotational axis of the rotating component. The rim member is located in a radially outward direction from the disk member, and the airfoil member is located in a radially outward direction from the rim member.

Abstract: A process of fabricating a rotating component and components formed thereby. The process includes fabricating preforms corresponding to portions of the component. Each preform has an interface surface at which the preforms can be joined to locate a first of the portions in a radially outward direction from a second of the portions. The preforms are then inertia welded together to form a profile having a solid-state weld joint containing a finer-grained material than other portions of the profile. The profile is then forged with dies to produce a forging. At least one of the dies has a recess into which the finer-grained material from the weld joint is expelled during forging to purge a joint region of the forging between the forging portions of the finer-grained material. The joint region contains grains distorted in an axial direction of the forging.

Abstract: A method of forming a component from a gamma-prime precipitation-strengthened nickel-base superalloy so that, following a supersolvus heat treatment the component characterized by a uniformly-sized grain microstructure. The method includes forming a billet having a sufficiently fine grain size to achieve superplasticity of the superalloy during a subsequent working step. The billet is then worked at a temperature below the gamma-prime solvus temperature of the superalloy so as to form a worked article, wherein the billet is worked so as to maintain strain rates above a lower strain rate limit to control average grain size and below an upper strain rate limit to avoid critical grain growth. Thereafter, the worked article is heat treated at a temperature above the gamma-prime solvus temperature of the superalloy for a duration sufficient to uniformly coarsen the grains of the worked article, after which the worked article is cooled at a rate sufficient to reprecipitate gamma-prime within the worked article.

Abstract: A method of forming a component from a gamma prime precipitation-strengthened nickel-base superalloy. The method entails formulating the superalloy to have a sufficiently high carbon content and forging the superalloy at sufficiently high local strain rates so that, following a supersolvus heat treatment, the component is characterized by a fine and substantially uniform grain size distribution, preferably finer than ASTM 7 and more preferably in a range of about ASTM 8 to 10.

Abstract: An internet-based system and method are provided for tracking an engineering or development program from concept to production. The tracking system takes inputs from new engineering or development requests and can also take inputs from separate databases, such as a repair needs database. The new engineering or development request can be submitted by a web link from an existing or created Internet website, or from another source, by a system user. The tracking system can automatically create and update a tracking indicator, accessible by an Internet web link or other means. The tracking system can automatically prompt other internal functions or required inputs when certain key milestones are reached.

Abstract: A system and method are proposed wherein all global locations of a group would have access to a central database of non-serviceability of components and component repair needs. An input wizard would be a front-end system used to ensure consistent relevant data is input into the central database from each location. A series of required data fields are entered for the database to accept the input. A series of options can be provided for each question to ensure consistent verbiage in the system. The electronic system can be web based or utilize some form of a common electronic network for storage. Once the data is in the central data warehouse, the system would be capable of generating reports on the data. These reports can be automatically emailed to or otherwise accessed by interested parties.

Abstract: A method for forming nickel base superalloy articles of manufacture by a combination of hot die forging, isothermal forging and heat treatment below and above the solvus.

Abstract: A method of high retained strain forging is described for Ni-base superalloys, particularly those which comprise a mixture of .gamma. and .gamma.' phases, and most particularly those which contain at least about 30 percent by volume of .gamma.'. The method utilizes an extended subsolvus anneal to recrystallize essentially all of the superalloy and form a uniform, free grain size. Such alloys may also be given a supersolvus anneal to coarsen the grain size and redistribute the .gamma.'. The method permits the manufacture of forged articles having a fine grain size in the range of about ASTM 5-12 (5-60 .mu.m).