Abstract: A process for repairing a turbine component comprises overlaying a preform of a brazing material onto a surface of the turbine component, wherein the surface comprises a damaged portion; securing the preform of a brazing material to the surface; and heating the turbine component to a temperature effective to form a brazed joint between the brazing material and the turbine component. Also disclosed is a repaired turbine component repaired by the process.

Abstract: A method for forming a monitoring deposit on a substrate comprises determining a temperature range to subject the substrate to provide a high temperature of operation up to less than a critical substrate deterioration temperature; selecting a binder to monitor temperature by emitting an indicator within the determined temperature range; combining the indicator and the binder; and applying the combined indicator and binder to the substrate to form the monitoring deposit. An article comprises a substrate; and a combined indicator and binder applied into the substrate, wherein the binder emits the indicator within a temperature range determined to subject the substrate to high temperature operation up to less than a critical substrate deterioration temperature.

Abstract: A structure includes a substantially non-conductive frame having an exterior surface. The structure defines a plurality of passages that open to the exterior surface. Mesoporous material is disposed in the plurality of passages and is supported therein by the frame. In a method for making a mesoporous nanocrystalline titania hybrid material, a templating agent, an acid, and a titania precursor is mixed into a template liquid. A frame that defines a plurality of passages is placed into the template liquid. A solvent is evaporated from the template liquid, thereby forming a titania gel encapsulating the templating agent. The gel is heated to remove substantially the templating agent from the non-conductive frame and the titania, thereby leaving a mesoporous titania material.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting gases, such as gaseous combustion products in a hot gas path. The sensor has at least one electrode pair that includes a plurality of nanostructures. The nanostructures comprise electrocatalytic material and have a porosity that permits gases to diffuse into interior spaces within the nanostructures. A sensor system that incorporates such sensors and controls combustion parameters based upon the output generated by the sensors, and a method of detecting gases using the sensors and sensor system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A chemical composition for selectively removing an aluminum-containing material from a substrate comprises an acid having a formula of HxAF6, a precursor thereof, and a mixture of said acid and said precursor; wherein A is selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, Ti, Zr, Al, and Ga; and x is in a range from 1 to 6, inclusive. The chemical composition can comprise at least another acid selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydriodic acid, acetic acid, perchloric acid, phosphorous acid, phosphinic acid, alkyl sulfonic acids, mixtures thereof, and precursors thereof. The chemical composition can be used to remove aluminum seal strips selectively from the dovetail of a turbine-engine blade.

Abstract: An in-situ method for repairing a thermal barrier coating deposited on a component that has suffered localized spallation including depositing a ceramic paste on a surface area of the component exposed by the localized spallation, the ceramic paste including a ceramic material in a binder material, the ceramic material including solid zirconia particles, the binder material including a silicone compound. The method also including heating the binder material to yield a repair coating that covers the surface area of the component, the silicone compound promoting the bonding of the solid zirconia particles.

Abstract: A process capable of depositing a diffusion coating of uniform thickness on localized surface regions of a component. The process makes use of an adhesive mixture containing a binding agent that is consumed as part of the deposition process so as not to negatively affect the quality and uniformity of the resulting coating. The process entails mixing a particulate donor material containing a coating element, a dissolved activator, and a particulate filler to form an adhesive mixture having a formable, malleable consistency. The adhesive mixture is applied to a surface of the component, and the component is heated to a temperature sufficient to vaporize and react the activator with the coating element of the donor material, thereby forming a reactive vapor of the coating element. The reactive vapor reacts at the surface of the component to form a diffusion coating containing the coating element.

Abstract: A masking material and a method for applying the masking material to preselected surfaces of a component to protect the surfaces to which the masking material is applied from exposure to a vapor phase of aluminum gas while a protective environmental coating is applied to other surfaces of the component. The component, such as found in the hot section of a gas turbine engine, typically has intricate internal passageways. A ceramic material is applied as a mask over preselected surfaces while leaving remaining surfaces of a component exposed. The component typically is a superalloy component, and the exposed surfaces are to be coated with an environmental protective coating. The surfaces are preselected on the basis of whether coating is desired on the surface. The ceramic material forms a continuous, crack-free mask on these preselected surfaces without obstructing the internal passageways. The ceramic material which forms a mask is stable at the elevated temperatures of environmental coating application.

Abstract: An in-situ method for repairing a thermal barrier coating deposited on a component that has suffered localized spallation including depositing a ceramic paste on a surface area of the component exposed by the localized spallation, the ceramic paste including a ceramic material in a binder material, the ceramic material including solid zirconia particles, the binder material including a silicone compound. The method also including heating the binder material to yield a repair coating that covers the surface area of the component, the silicone compound promoting the bonding of the solid zirconia particles.

Abstract: A beta-phase NiAl overlay coating containing a dispersion of ceramic particles and a process for depositing the overlay coating. If the coating is used to adhere a thermal barrier coating (TBC), the TBC exhibits improved spallation resistance as a result of the dispersion of ceramic particles having a dispersion-strengthening effect on the overlay coating. The overlay coating contains at least one reactive element and is deposited so that the some of the reactive element deposits as the ceramic particles dispersed in the overlay coating.

Abstract: An in-situ method for repairing a thermal barrier coating deposited on a component that has suffered localized spallation including depositing a ceramic paste on a surface area of the component exposed by the localized spallation, the ceramic paste including a ceramic material in a binder material, the ceramic material including solid zirconia particles, the binder material including a silicone compound. The method also including heating the binder material to yield a repair coating that covers the surface area of the component, the silicone compound promoting the bonding of the solid zirconia particles.

Abstract: A method for forming a monitoring deposit on a substrate comprises determining a temperature range to subject the substrate to provide a high temperature of operation up to less than a critical substrate deterioration temperature; selecting a binder to monitor temperature by emitting an indicator within the determined temperature range; combining the indicator and the binder; and applying the combined indicator and binder to the substrate to form the monitoring deposit. An article comprises a substrate; and a combined indicator and binder applied into the substrate, wherein the binder emits the indicator within a temperature range determined to subject the substrate to high temperature operation up to less than a critical substrate deterioration temperature.

Abstract: A masking material and a method for applying the masking material to preselected surfaces of a component to protect the surfaces to which the masking material is applied from exposure to a vapor phase of aluminum gas while a protective environmental coating is applied to other surfaces of the component. The component, such as found in the hot section of a gas turbine engine, typically has intricate internal passageways. A ceramic material is applied as a mask over preselected surfaces while leaving remaining surfaces of a component exposed. The component typically is a superalloy component, and the exposed surfaces are to be coated with an environmental protective coating. The surfaces are preselected on the basis of whether coating is desired on the surface. The ceramic material forms a continuous, crack-free mask on these preselected surfaces without obstructing the internal passageways. The ceramic material which forms a mask is stable at the elevated temperatures of environmental coating application.

Abstract: The present invention provides high-throughput systems and methods for the fabrication and evaluation of electrode and electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells. The present invention includes systems and methods for synthesizing and optimizing the performance of electrodes and electrode-electrolyte combinations and utilizes small-scale techniques to perform such optimization based on chemical composition and variable processing. Advantageously, rapid device performance systems and methods coupled with structural and surface systems and methods allow for an increased discovery rate of new materials for solid oxide fuel cells.