Abstract: A casting mold (260) comprises a shell (262) extending from a lower end (264) to an upper end (266) and having: an interior space (280) for casting metal; and an opening (268) for receiving metal to be cast. A plurality of thermocouples (900) are vertically-spaced from each other on the shell.

Abstract: A method of removing a core of a cast component includes providing a casting that includes a silica based ceramic core in a temperature controlled closed volume; cycling temperature between a first temperature and a second temperature within the temperature controlled closed volume that repeatedly subjects the silica based ceramic core to a beta-to-alpha cristobalite transition that induces microfractures in the silica based ceramic core; and after the cycling temperature, chemically dissolving the silica based ceramic core from the casting.

Abstract: An alloy part is cast in a mold (280) having a part-forming cavity (292, 294, 296). The method comprises pouring a first alloy into the mold. The pouring causes: a surface (550) of the first alloy in the part-forming cavity to raise relative to the part-forming cavity; a branch flow of the poured first alloy to pass upwardly through a first portion (304) of a passageway; and the branch flow to pass downwardly through a second portion (310), of the passageway; solidifying some of the first alloy in the passageway to block the passageway while at least some of the first alloy in the part-forming cavity remains molten. A second alloy is poured into the mold atop the first alloy and solidified.

Abstract: A method of removing a core of a cast component includes providing a casting that includes a silica based ceramic core in a temperature controlled closed volume; cycling temperature between a first temperature and a second temperature within the temperature controlled closed volume that repeatedly subjects the silica based ceramic core to a beta-to-alpha cristobalite transition that induces microfractures in the silica based ceramic core; and after the cycling temperature, chemically dissolving the silica based ceramic core from the casting.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a method comprising obtaining a refractory metal core (RMC), installing the RMC inside a tool, and subsequent to installing the RMC inside the tool, injecting a slurry into the tool to form a composite body from the RMC and the slurry. Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a composite body, comprising: a refractory metal core (RMC), and a slurry that at least partially encapsulates the RMC.

Abstract: An alloy part is cast in a mold (280) having a part-forming cavity (292, 294, 296). The method comprises pouring a first alloy into the mold. The pouring causes: a surface (550) of the first alloy in the part-forming cavity to raise relative to the part-forming cavity; a branch flow of the poured first alloy to pass upwardly through a first portion (304) of a passageway; and the branch flow to pass downwardly through a second portion (310), of the passageway; solidifying some of the first alloy in the passageway to block the passageway while at least some of the first alloy in the part-forming cavity remains molten. A second alloy is poured into the mold atop the first alloy and solidified.

Abstract: An alloy part is cast in a mold (280) having a part forming cavity (292, 294, 296). The method comprises pouring a first alloy into the mold. The pouring causes: a surface (550) of the first alloy in the part forming cavity to raise relative to the part forming cavity; a branch flow of the poured first alloy to pass upwardly through a first portion (304) of a passageway; and the branch flow to pass downwardly through a second portion (310), of the passageway; solidifying some of the first alloy in the passageway to block the passageway while at least some of the first alloy in the part forming cavity remains molten. A second alloy is poured into the mold atop the first alloy and solidified.

Abstract: A blade (60; 60-2) comprises an airfoil (61) and an attachment root (63). The blade has a tipward zone (80; 80-2; 80-2, 81) and a rootward zone (82; 82-2, 81; 82). The rootward zone has a single crystal structure. The tipward zone has a single crystal structure. The crystalline orientations of the rootward zone and tipward zone are at least 15° out of registry with each other.

Abstract: An alloy part is cast in a mold (280) having a part forming cavity (292, 294, 296). The method comprises pouring a first alloy into the mold. The pouring causes: a surface (550) of the first alloy in the part forming cavity to raise relative to the part forming cavity; a branch flow of the poured first alloy to pass upwardly through a first portion (304) of a passageway; and the branch flow to pass downwardly through a second portion (310), of the passageway; solidifying some of the first alloy in the passageway to block the passageway while at least some of the first alloy in the part forming cavity remains molten. A second alloy is poured into the mold atop the first alloy and solidified.

Abstract: A method of creating an article from investment casting includes forming a ceramic seed well, heating the ceramic seed well to form a hardened ceramic seed well, attaching a meltable pattern to the hardened ceramic seed well, coating the hardened ceramic seed well and the meltable pattern with hardenable ceramic material, heating the hardenable ceramic material to melt the meltable pattern, removing the meltable pattern from the hardenable ceramic material, firing the hardenable ceramic material to form a ceramic mold having a cavity, placing a seed within the hardened ceramic seed well, and pouring molten metal into the hardened ceramic seed well and the cavity. The cavity of the ceramic mold is in communication with the hardened ceramic seed well.

Abstract: A refractory metal core for use in a casting system has a coating for providing oxidation resistance during shell fire and protection against reaction/dissolution during casting. In a first embodiment, the coating includes at least one oxide and a silicon containing material. In a second embodiment, the coating includes an oxide selected from the group of calcia, magnesia, alumina, zirconia, chromia, yttria, silica, hafnia, and mixtures thereof. In a third embodiment, the coating includes a nitride selected from the group of silicon nitride, sialon, titanium nitride, and mixtures thereof. Other coating embodiments are described in the disclosure.

Abstract: The invention is a process for removing ceramic thermal barrier layers from gas turbine engine hardware. A combination of chemical and mechanical steps are used to remove the thermal barrier coating from the substrate without removing the bond coat from the substrate. The process leaves the bond coat on the substrate in condition to receive a repair ceramic thermal barrier coating. The process includes a caustic solution treatment in an autoclave under controlled conditions followed by a mechanical abrasion process.

Abstract: An electro-optical contact assembly provides a connection between an electrical system and a fiber optic system for transmission of a signal therethrough. The assembly includes a converter for converting the signal between electrical and optical forms. The assembly also includes a receptacle with a retention mechanism mounted thereon which allows secure retention of an optical fiber terminus in the receptacle. The retention mechanism allows manual release of its clip from engagement with the optical fiber terminus in order to allow removal of the terminus from the receptacle, thereby allowing optical connection and disconnection of the assembly from the electrical system as well as other systems by simply plugging and unplugging fiber optic termini into and out of the contact assembly. The assembly includes a conductor surrounding the receptacle and terminus to provide EMI and RFI shielding of the terminus.

Abstract: A coated nickel base superalloy single crystal turbine airfoil blade (1), which is subject to gas turbine engine operation, can crack during refurbishment by a stress corrosion mechanism when exposed to certain corrosive media. The rapid thermal cycling that occurs during typical gas turbine engine operation results in high, non-uniform stresses across the airfoil, producing large localized residual strains in the article at ambient temperatures. Exposure to a corrosive environment, such as during coating removal or agressive cleaning, can produce chordwise cracks in a large number of the airfoils exposed. Such cracking is avoided by subjecting the articles to a preliminary stress relieving heat treatment which reduces the residual strains to a level below which cracking will not occur, prior to exposure to the corrosive media.