Abstract: A treatment process for treating an article including a superalloy having a degraded microstructure is presented. The process includes subjecting the article to a first heat-treatment including successively heating and cooling the article between a low-end temperature and a high-end temperature and subjecting the article to a second heat-treatment at a solution annealing temperature in a range of from about 80 degrees Fahrenheit below a gamma-prime solvus temperature of the superalloy to about 80 degrees Fahrenheit above the gamma-prime solvus temperature of the superalloy after performing the first heat-treatment. The low-end temperature is in a range of from about 1000 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1800 degrees Fahrenheit and the high-end temperature is in a range of from about 1900 degrees Fahrenheit to about 2250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract: A method for joining a filler material to a substrate material includes melting the filler material within a melting chamber of a crucible such that the filler material is molten. The crucible has an outlet fluidly connected to the melting chamber. The method also includes holding the filler material within the melting chamber of the crucible by applying a first pressure differential across the outlet of the crucible, and releasing the filler material from the melting chamber of the crucible by applying a second pressure differential across the outlet of the crucible to deliver the filler material to a target site of the substrate material. The second pressure differential has a different value than the first pressure differential.

Abstract: A method for repairing a component is provided. The method comprises: tracing an electrode across a defect/damage on the component at a preselected distance from the component; feeding a first metal powder and a second metal powder into a discharging gap between the electrode and the component; controlling feed rates of the first and second metal powders separately; and electro-spark depositing the first and second metal powders to the component to form a hybrid metal coating. The first metal powder comprises a first metal or alloy with a Vickers hardness rating of about 70-200% of the Vickers hardness rating of the component. The second metal powder comprises a second metal or alloy having lubricating/anti-corrosion properties.

Abstract: A method for joining a filler material to a substrate material includes melting the filler material within a melting chamber of a crucible such that the filler material is molten. The crucible has an outlet fluidly connected to the melting chamber. The method also includes holding the filler material within the melting chamber of the crucible by applying a first pressure differential across the outlet of the crucible, and releasing the filler material from the melting chamber of the crucible by applying a second pressure differential across the outlet of the crucible to deliver the filler material to a target site of the substrate material. The second pressure differential has a different value than the first pressure differential.

Abstract: A brazing process and assembly utilizing microwave radiation and a plasma generator that is heated by microwave radiation and generates a localized plasma capable of selectively heating and melting a braze alloy. The plasma generator contains a microwave-susceptible material that is susceptible to heating by microwave radiation, and a plasma-generating material capable of volatilizing and generating the plasma when the plasma generator is subjected to heating and microwave radiation. The brazing process includes applying a braze material to a surface of a substrate, positioning the plasma generator in proximity to the braze material, and then subjecting the plasma generator to microwave radiation to volatilize the plasma-generating material and generate a plasma that melts the braze alloy within the braze material.

Abstract: A method is provided for joining a filler material to a substrate material. The method includes melting the filler material within a melting chamber of a crucible such that the filler material is molten. The crucible has an outlet fluidly connected to the melting chamber. The method also includes holding the filler material within the melting chamber of the crucible by applying a first pressure differential across the outlet of the crucible, and releasing the filler material from the melting chamber of the crucible by applying a second pressure differential across the outlet of the crucible to deliver the filler material to a target site of the substrate material. The second pressure differential has a different value than the first pressure differential.

Abstract: A gamma prime nickel-base superalloy and components formed therefrom that exhibit improved high-temperature dwell capabilities, including creep and hold time fatigue crack growth behavior. A particular example of a component is a powder metallurgy turbine disk of a gas turbine engine. The gamma-prime nickel-base superalloy contains, by weight, 16.0 to 30.0% cobalt, 11.5 to 15.0% chromium, 4.0 to 6.0% tantalum, 2.0 to 4.0% aluminum, 1.5 to 6.0% titanium, up to 5.0% tungsten, 1.0 to 7.0% molybdenum, up to 3.5% niobium, up to 1.0% hafnium, 0.02 to 0.20% carbon, 0.01 to 0.05% boron, 0.02 to 0.10% zirconium, the balance essentially nickel and impurities, wherein the titanium:aluminum weight ratio is 0.5 to 2.0.

Abstract: A gamma prime nickel-base superalloy and components formed therefrom that exhibit improved high-temperature dwell capabilities, including creep and hold time fatigue crack growth behavior. A particular example of a component is a powder metallurgy turbine disk of a gas turbine engine. The gamma-prime nickel-base superalloy contains, by weight, 18.0 to 30.0% cobalt, 11.4 to 16.0% chromium, up to 6.0% tantalum, 2.5 to 3.5% aluminum, 2.5 to 4.0% titanium, 5.5 to 7.5% molybdenum, up to 2.0% niobium, up to 2.0% hafnium, 0.04 to 0.20% carbon, 0.01 to 0.05% boron, 0.03 to 0.09% zirconium, the balance essentially nickel and impurities, wherein the titanium:aluminum weight ratio is 0.71 to 1.60.

Abstract: A method is provided for joining a filler material to a substrate material. The method includes melting the filler material within a melting chamber of a crucible such that the filler material is molten. The crucible has an outlet fluidly connected to the melting chamber. The method also includes holding the filler material within the melting chamber of the crucible by applying a first pressure differential across the outlet of the crucible, and releasing the filler material from the melting chamber of the crucible by applying a second pressure differential across the outlet of the crucible to deliver the filler material to a target site of the substrate material. The second pressure differential has a different value than the first pressure differential.

Abstract: A method is provided for joining a filler material to a substrate material. The method includes melting the filler material within a melting chamber of a crucible such that the filler material is molten, holding the filler material within the melting chamber of the crucible by electromagnetically levitating the filler material within the melting chamber, and releasing the filler material from the melting chamber of the crucible to deliver the filler material to a target site of the substrate material.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods of using active braze techniques in high temperature rechargeable batteries. In some specific embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of sealing a portion of an insulated alpha alumina or spinel collar and a metal ring of a sodium metal halide battery.

Abstract: A method for repairing a component is provided. The method comprises: tracing an electrode across a defect/damage on the component at a preselected distance from the component; feeding a first metal powder and a second metal powder into a discharging gap between the electrode and the component; controlling feed rates of the first and second metal powders separately; and electro-spark depositing the first and second metal powders to the component to form a hybrid metal coating. The first metal powder comprises a first metal or alloy with a Vickers hardness rating of about 70-200% of the Vickers hardness rating of the component. The second metal powder comprises a second metal or alloy having lubricating/anti-corrosion properties.

Abstract: One embodiment is a method. The method includes providing a casting apparatus including a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the first chamber is isolated from the second chamber. The method includes charging an alloy composition into a crucible present in the first chamber and melting the alloy composition in the crucible to form a molten alloy composition. The method includes discharging the molten alloy composition into a casting mold present in the second chamber; applying a positive pressure to the first chamber to create a first chamber pressure; and applying a vacuum to the second chamber to create a second chamber pressure, wherein the first chamber pressure is greater than the second chamber pressure. The method further includes casting a filament or a turbine component from the molten alloy composition in the casting mold. An apparatus for casting a filament or a turbine component is also provided.

Abstract: A process for forming a coating on a surface of a substrate, so that heating of the coating material is selective and sufficient to cause at least partial melting of the coating material and permit bonding to the substrate without excessively heating the substrate so as not to significantly degrade its properties. The process generally entails forming a brazing paste containing powder particles dispersed in a binder. The particles are formed of a composition that is susceptible to microwave radiation. The brazing paste is then applied to the surface of the substrate and subjected to microwave radiation so that the particles couple with the microwave radiation and are sufficiently heated to burn off the binder and then at least partially melt to form an at least partially molten layer on the substrate. The microwave radiation is then interrupted to allow the at least partially molten layer to cool, solidify, and form the coating.

Abstract: A method for utilizing microwave generated multi-bubble plasma to treat an effluent is provided. The method comprises: providing a microwave field; flowing an effluent and gas bubbles in the effluent across the microwave field; enhancing electromagnetic field in a path of the gas bubbles in the microwave field via an electrode; triggering plasma in the gas bubbles as the gas bubbles reach a region of enhanced electromagnetic field; and coupling microwave to the plasma.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming wires, such as wires used as feedstock in welding, brazing, and coating deposition processes. The process and apparatus generally entail feeding through a passage a quantity of powder particles of a size and composition that render the particles susceptible to microwave radiation. As the particles travel through the passage, the particles within the passage are subjected to microwave radiation so that the particles couple with the microwave radiation and are sufficiently heated to melt at least a radially outermost quantity of particles within the passage. The particles are then cooled so that the radially outermost quantity of particles solidifies to yield a wire having a consolidated outermost region surrounding an interior region of the wire.

Abstract: A system and method for refurbishing forged components. The system includes an identification subsystem for identifying a forged component for refurbishment, a removal subsystem for removing portions of the forged component, and a rebuilding subsystem for rebuilding the forged component, the rebuilding subsystem including an assembly for adding a non-molten material to the forged component.

Abstract: A casting apparatus is presented. The casting apparatus includes a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber includes a crucible and a sealed discharge outlet. The second chamber includes a casting mold for casting a plurality of filaments of a superalloy composition. The second chamber further includes a discharge inlet aligned with the sealed discharge outlet of the first chamber. The casting apparatus further includes a first port for applying a positive pressure to the first chamber and a second port for applying a vacuum to the second chamber. The sealed discharge outlet includes a hermetic seal comprising a material having a melting temperature equal to or greater than a melting temperature of the superalloy composition.

Abstract: One embodiment is a method. The method includes providing a casting apparatus including a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the first chamber is isolated from the second chamber. The method includes charging an alloy composition into a crucible present in the first chamber and melting the alloy composition in the crucible to form a molten alloy composition. The method includes discharging the molten alloy composition into a casting mold present in the second chamber; applying a positive pressure to the first chamber to create a first chamber pressure; and applying a vacuum to the second chamber to create a second chamber pressure, wherein the first chamber pressure is greater than the second chamber pressure. The method further includes casting a filament or a turbine component from the molten alloy composition in the casting mold. An apparatus for casting a filament or a turbine component is also provided.

Abstract: Braze materials and processes for using braze materials, such as for use in the manufacturing, coating, repair, and build-up of superalloy components. The braze material contains a plurality of first particles of a metallic material having a melting point, and a plurality of second particles comprising at least one nonmetallic material chosen from the group consisting of oxides, carbides, and nitrides of at least one metal. The nonmetallic material is more susceptible to heating by microwave radiation than the metallic material of the first particles, and the nonmetallic material is present in the braze material in an amount sufficient to enable the first particles to completely melt when the first and second particles are subjected to heating by microwave radiation.