Abstract: A plated polymer component is disclosed. The plated polymer component may comprise a polymer substrate having an outer surface, a metal plating attached to the outer surface of the polymer substrate, and at least one interlocking feature connecting the polymer substrate and the metal plating. The interlocking feature may improve the interfacial bond strength between the polymer substrate and the metal plating.

Abstract: Plated polymeric gas turbine engine parts and methods for fabricating lightweight plated polymeric gas turbine engine parts are disclosed. The parts include a polymeric substrate plated with one or more metal layers. The polymeric material of the polymeric substrate may be structurally reinforced with materials that may include carbon, metal, or glass. The polymeric substrate may also include a plurality of layers to form a composite layup structure.

Abstract: Plated polymeric gas turbine engine parts and methods for fabricating lightweight plated polymeric gas turbine engine parts are disclosed. The parts include a polymeric substrate plated with one or more metal layers. The polymeric material of the polymeric substrate may be structurally reinforced with materials that may include carbon, metal, or glass. The polymeric substrate may also include a plurality of layers to form a composite layup structure.

Abstract: Non-contact strain measurement systems and their method of use to detect strain on rotating components are disclosed. A non-contact strain measurement system comprises magnetic materials plated onto a rotatable component in addition to appropriate encoders and controller. The magnetic materials are spaced apart a first distance D1 when the component is not rotating, and a second distance D2 when the component is rotating. The encoders and controller are utilized to detect strain on the rotating component. A method of using the system to detect strain on a rotating component includes detecting the first distance D1 then detecting the second distance D2, and calculating the strain imparted onto the component from a difference between D1 and D2.

Abstract: Plated polymeric gas turbine engine parts and methods for fabricating lightweight plated polymeric gas turbine engine parts are disclosed. The parts include a polymeric substrate plated with one or more metal layers. The polymeric material of the polymeric substrate may be structurally reinforced with materials that may include carbon, metal, or glass. The polymeric substrate may also include a plurality of layers to form a composite layup structure.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine component assembly includes a ceramic component having a first thermal characteristic. A metallic component has a second thermal characteristic. A bonding material secures the ceramic component to the metallic component. The bonding material includes at least one of a transient liquid phase bond and a partial transient liquid phase bond. The bonding material is configured to withstand a shear stress parameter relating to a differential between the first and second thermal characteristics.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a metal part with additive manufacturing includes additive manufacturing a resin into a desired shape having an outer surface, followed by preparing the outer surface to receive a catalyst, activating the outer surface with the catalyst; and then plating a first metal onto the outer surface and the catalyst to form a first layer to form a structure. The resin is selected from imidized polyimide, bismaleimide and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Plated polymeric gas turbine engine parts and methods for fabricating lightweight plated polymeric gas turbine engine parts are disclosed. The parts include a polymeric substrate plated with one or more metal layers. The polymeric material of the polymeric substrate may be structurally reinforced with materials that may include carbon, metal, or glass. The polymeric substrate may also include a plurality of layers to form a composite layup structure.

Abstract: A composite laminate component is disclosed. The composite laminate component may comprise a composite laminate including a plurality of sub-laminates, and a metallic layer encapsulating one or more of the sub-laminates. The sub-laminates may be joined by a bond between the metallic layers.

Abstract: A method for bonding components is disclosed. The method may comprise positioning an interlayer between a metallic component and a metal-plated non-metallic component at a bond region, heating the bond region to a bonding temperature to produce a liquid at the bond region, and maintaining the bond region at the bonding temperature until the liquid has solidified to form a bond between the metallic component and the metal-plated non-metallic component at the bond region. A method for providing a part having a customized coating is also disclosed. The method may comprise applying a metallic coating on a surface of a metallic substrate, and bonding the metallic coating to the metallic substrate by a transient liquid phase bonding process to provide the part having the customized coating.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine component assembly includes first and second portions, wherein at least one of the first and second portions is a ceramic material. The first portion includes an aperture having a first angled surface. The second portion is disposed within the aperture and includes a second angled surface adjacent to the first angled surface. The first and second angled surfaces lock the first and second portions to one another under a pulling load. A bonding material operatively secures the first and second angled surfaces to one another.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating lightweight or hollow metal parts are disclosed. First, a polymer is formed into an article of a desired shape or geometry. The outer surface of the article is prepared to receive a catalyst and then the outer surface is activated with the catalyst. A first metallic layer is then plated onto the outer surface to form a structure. Optional additional metallic layers may be applied. The polymer may be removed from the structure before it is subjected to a final heat treatment for alloying purposes.

Abstract: An encapsulated polymeric article is disclosed. The encapsulated polymeric article may include a polymer substrate and a metallic outer shell at least partially encapsulating the polymer substrate. The encapsulated polymeric article may be fabricated by a method comprising: 1) providing a mandrel in a shape of the encapsulated polymeric article, 2) shaping the metallic outer shell on the mandrel, 3) removing the mandrel from the metallic outer shell, and 4) molding the polymeric substrate into the metallic outer shell through a port formed in the metallic outer shell to provide the encapsulated polymeric article.

Abstract: A plated polymer component is disclosed. The plated polymer component may comprise a polymer support, a metal plating deposited on a surface of the polymer support, and at least one flame-retardant additive included in the polymer support. In another aspect, the plated polymer component may comprise a polymer substrate, a metal plating deposited on a surface of the polymer substrate, and a temperature-indicating coating applied to at least one of of the polymer substrate.

Abstract: A plated tubular lattice structure is described. The plated tubular lattice structure may comprise a backbone structure which may include a plurality of axial posts and a plurality of pyramidal structures extending laterally from the axial posts and connecting the axial posts at nodes. The plated tubular lattice structure may further comprise a metal plating layer plated on an outer surface of the backbone structure.

Abstract: An airfoil is disclosed. The airfoil may comprise a leading edge, a body portion and a trailing edge formed from a high-modulus plating. The body portion of the airfoil may be formed from a material having a lower elastic modulus than the high-modulus plating. The high-modulus plating may improve the stiffness of the trailing edge, allowing for thinner trailing edges with improved fatigue life to be formed.

Abstract: A ceramic turbine component is formed by a process including mixing a ceramic powder with a metal binder powder mixture. The powder mixture is then formed into a turbine component that is subsequently densified by partial transient liquid phase sintering. In an embodiment, the turbine component may be formed by an additive manufacturing process such as selective laser sintering.

Abstract: A ceramic turbine component is formed by a process including mixing a ceramic powder with an inorganic binder powder. The powder mixture is then formed into a turbine component that is subsequently densified by transient liquid phase sintering. In an embodiment, the turbine component may be formed by an additive manufacturing process such as selective laser sintering.

Abstract: A precipitation-hardened partial transient liquid phase bond and method of making same is provided. The bond is created at a bonding temperature and then, based on the phase diagrams corresponding to the materials in the interlayer between the bonded materials, the bond is held at a lower heat-treatment temperature to achieve a precipitation-hardened structure.

Abstract: A composite ceramic turbine blade includes a ceramic airfoil portion and a ceramic outer tip shroud portion. The ceramic outer tip shroud portion is joined to the ceramic airfoil portion by a bonding means. In an embodiment, the bonding means comprises partial transient liquid phase bonding. In another embodiment, the airfoil portion is a fiber reinforced ceramic.