Abstract: A composite core for a hollow gas turbine engine blade is constructed by forming a first core part determinative of the cavity size of the trailing edge blade portion from a first ceramic material and joined to a second core part determinative of the blade cavity for the blade body portion which is formed from a second ceramic material. The first and second ceramic materials can be chosen to have appropriate characteristics grain sizes, flowability, leachability, and/or reactivity characteristics taking into consideration the different dimensional restrictions imposed by the desired blade product. A tongue is formed on the adjoining edge surface of the trailing edge core part, and the trailing edge core part is then inserted into a second die and the body core part is formed, including a complementary groove member which is formed around the tongue member on the trailing edge core part. The joined trailing edge and body core parts can then be sintered to form a composite casting core.

Abstract: A novel method of making a ceramic core for use in casting a metal component includes freezing a ceramic slurry comprising a ceramic powder filler, a freezable liquid and a gelling agent in a mold to form a frozen core shaped body. The frozen core shaped body is removed from the mold and thawed to room temperature. A high viscosity gel is provided in the core shaped body at room temperature that is strong enough to retain the core shape until the body can be fired to form a porous, sintered ceramic core. The gel present at room temperature may be formed as the ceramic slurry is cooled in the mold cavity to form the frozen article shaped body and/or as the frozen core shaped body is thawed to room temperature.

Abstract: A novel method of making a ceramic core for use in casting a metal component includes freezing a ceramic slurry comprising a ceramic powder filler, a freezable liquid and a gelling agent in a mold to form a frozen core shaped body. The frozen core shaped body is removed from the mold and thawed to room temperature. A high viscosity gel is provided in the core shaped body at room temperature that is strong enough to retain the core shape until the body can be fired to form a porous, sintered ceramic core. The gel present at room temperature may be formed as the ceramic slurry is cooled in the mold cavity to form the frozen article shaped body and/or as the frozen core shaped body is thawed to room temperature.

Abstract: A ceramic core for use in the investment casting of metals includes, prior to sintering, about 80 w/o to about 86 w/o of a ceramic filler material and about 14 w/o to about 20 w/o of a binder material. The ceramic filler material includes about 66 w/o to about 95 w/o Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 particles, about 1 w/o to about 20 w/o Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 particles, about 1 w/o to about 5 w/o of a grain growth inhibiting agent, and the balance a carbon-bearing fugitive filler material. Subsequent to sintering, the ceramic core has a microstructure characterized by the presence of substantially unreacted Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 particles having a polycrystalline composition consisting essentially of 3Y.sub.2 O.sub.3.5Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 on the surfaces of the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 particles.