Abstract: An electroformed sheath for protecting an airfoil includes a sheath body and a mandrel insert is provided. The sheath body includes a leading edge. The sheath body includes a pressure side wall and an opposed suction side wall, which side walls meet at the leading edge and extend away from the leading edge to define a cavity between the side walls. The sheath body includes a head section between the leading edge and the cavity. The mandrel insert is positioned between the pressure side and suction side walls, and includes a generally wedge-shaped geometry. A method for protecting an airfoil includes: 1) securing a mandrel insert to a mandrel; 2) electroplating a sheath body onto the mandrel and the mandrel insert; 3) removing the mandrel from the sheath body so that a sheath cavity is defined within the sheath body; and 4) securing the airfoil within the sheath cavity.

Abstract: A rotary blade is provided that includes a root, an airfoil, and a tip insert. The airfoil is attached to the root, and has a suction side surface, a pressure side surface, a leading edge, a trailing edge, a tip, and a slot disposed within the tip. The slot extends in a chordwise direction between the leading edge and trailing edge. The tip insert has a base end and a rub end. The base end of the tip insert is disposed within the slot. The rub end of the tip insert extends radially outward from the airfoil tip.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a fan blade assembly. In an embodiment, the fan blade assembly includes an airfoil having a forward edge covered by a sheath. The airfoil and the sheath are made from dissimilar conductive materials. A nonconductive coating is applied to at least one of the sheath receiving surface of the airfoil and/or the airfoil contact surface of the sheath before the sheath is bonded to the airfoil.

Abstract: An airfoil includes an aluminum airfoil body with a pressure side, suction side, leading edge and trailing edge; and a titanium foil layer covering at least part of one of the pressure side and the suction side.

Abstract: A method of stripping gamma/gamma prime polycrystalline alloy bond coats from single crystal gamma/gamma prime nickel based superalloys, including the steps of grit blasting followed by the use of hydrochloric acid solutions, followed by rinsing. The cycle may be repeated several times, with visual inspection between cycles.

Abstract: An electroformed sheath for protecting an airfoil includes a sheath body and a mandrel insert is provided. The sheath body includes a leading edge. The sheath body includes a pressure side wall and an opposed suction side wall, which side walls meet at the leading edge and extend away from the leading edge to define a cavity between the side walls. The sheath body includes a head section between the leading edge and the cavity. The mandrel insert is positioned between the pressure side and suction side walls, and includes a generally wedge-shaped geometry. A method for protecting an airfoil includes: 1) securing a mandrel insert to a mandrel; 2) electroplating a sheath body onto the mandrel and the mandrel insert; 3) removing the mandrel from the sheath body so that a sheath cavity is defined within the sheath body; and 4) securing the airfoil within the sheath cavity.

Abstract: A process for improving the adherence of a thermal barrier coating to a substrate includes the steps of providing a substrate, depositing a masking layer of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or titanium alloy, or titanium on a surface of the substrate, depositing a non-thermally grown oxide layer of alumina or titania on the masking layer, and depositing a thermal barrier coating on the oxide layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fan blade includes providing a metallic fan blade body, and applying at least a 200 volt potential to the fan blade body in a solution to produce a crystalline oxidation layer. A fan blade for a gas turbine engine includes a metallic fan blade body having a tip with a crystalline oxidation layer. A fan blade for a gas turbine engine includes a metallic fan blade body having a tip with a titanium dioxide layer.

Abstract: A process for improving the adherence of a thermal barrier coating to a substrate includes the steps of providing a substrate, depositing a masking layer of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or titanium alloy, or titanium on a surface of the substrate, depositing a non-thermally grown oxide layer of alumina or titania on the masking layer, and depositing a thermal barrier coating on the oxide layer.

Abstract: An electroformed sheath for protecting an airfoil includes a sheath body and a mandrel insert is provided. The sheath body includes a leading edge. The sheath body includes a pressure side wall and an opposed suction side wall, which side walls meet at the leading edge and extend away from the leading edge to define a cavity between the side walls. The sheath body includes a head section between the leading edge and the cavity. The mandrel insert is positioned between the pressure side and suction side walls, and includes a generally wedge-shaped geometry. A method for protecting an airfoil includes: 1) securing a mandrel insert to a mandrel; 2) electroplating a sheath body onto the mandrel and the mandrel insert; 3) removing the mandrel from the sheath body so that a sheath cavity is defined within the sheath body; and 4) securing the airfoil within the sheath cavity.

Abstract: A rotary blade is provided that includes a root, an airfoil, and a tip insert. The airfoil is attached to the root, and has a suction side surface, a pressure side surface, a leading edge, a trailing edge, a tip, and a slot disposed within the tip. The slot extends in a chordwise direction between the leading edge and trailing edge. The tip insert has a base end and a rub end. The base end of the tip insert is disposed within the slot. The rub end of the tip insert extends radially outward from the airfoil tip.

Abstract: A turbine engine component has an airfoil portion with a tip portion and the tip portion has at least one chamfered edge on one side. If desired, the tip portion may have a first chamfered edge on a first side and a second chamfered edge on a second side opposed to the first side. A flattened tip portion may extend between the first and second chamfered edges. A tip treatment may be applied to the flattened tip portion.

Abstract: A method of stripping gamma/gamma prime polycrystalline alloy bond coats from single crystal gamma/gamma prime nickel based superalloys, including the steps of grit blasting followed by the use of hydrochloric acid solutions, followed by rinsing. The cycle may be repeated several times, with visual inspection between cycles.

Abstract: A hollow airfoil and a method for manufacturing a hollow airfoil is provided.

Abstract: A hollow airfoil and a method for manufacturing a hollow airfoil is provided.

Abstract: Organic matrix composite components, systems using such components, and methods for manufacturing such components are provided. In this regard, a representative organic matrix composite component includes: an organic matrix composite; a layer of aluminum applied to the organic matrix composite; and a wear resistant coating applied to the aluminum layer.