Abstract: A method of treating a superalloy article, including selecting an article having a superalloy composition, whereby the article has a treatable feature on its surface. The method further includes removing a base alloy from a region abutting a first portion of the treatable feature. The method further includes treating a second portion of the treatable feature with a treatment composition to remove surface oxides. The method further includes inserting a treatment material into the first portion of the treatable feature followed by depositing the base alloy in the first portion of the treatable feature. The method further includes heat treating the article at a temperature above the melting point of the treatment material whereby the treatment material flows into the second portion of the treatable feature forming a treated article.

Abstract: A method to repair an opening in a metallic device including: mount the device on a positioner; while the device is mounted on the positioner, sense and record positions of a surface of an opening in the device using a probe operated by a manipulator; based on the recorded positions determine a centerline and diameter of the opening; orient a digital model of the opening with respect to the opening of the device based on the centerline and diameter of the opening, and apply an weld or cladding to the opening by a welding torch maneuvered automatically by the manipulator while the device is mounted to the positioner and based on the oriented digital model of the opening.

Abstract: A method of repairing an oxidized defect in a superalloy article includes removing substantially all of the oxidized defect to form a cleaned out portion of the superalloy article; filling a portion of the cleaned out portion with a weld by fusion welding; cracking the weld; and filling the cracked weld and a remaining portion of the cleaned out portion with a braze material.

Abstract: The present application provides a method of repairing a turbine blade. The method may include the steps of removing an existing tip cap from the turbine blade in whole or in part, machining the turbine blade to form a machined groove, positioning an insert in the machined groove, welding the insert to the turbine blade, and brazing the turbine blade.

Abstract: A method of treating a superalloy article, including selecting an article having a superalloy composition, whereby the article has a treatable feature on its surface. The method further includes removing a base alloy from a region abutting a first portion of the treatable feature. The method further includes treating a second portion of the treatable feature with a treatment composition to remove surface oxides. The method further includes inserting a treatment material into the first portion of the treatable feature followed by depositing the base alloy in the first portion of the treatable feature. The method further includes heat treating the article at a temperature above the melting point of the treatment material whereby the treatment material flows into the second portion of the treatable feature forming a treated article.

Abstract: A method to repair an opening in a metallic device including: mount the device on a positioner; while the device is mounted on the positioner, sense and record positions of a surface of an opening in the device using a probe operated by a manipulator; based on the recorded positions determine a centerline and diameter of the opening; orient a digital model of the opening with respect to the opening of the device based on the centerline and diameter of the opening, and apply an weld or cladding to the opening by a welding torch maneuvered automatically by the manipulator while the device is mounted to the positioner and based on the oriented digital model of the opening.

Abstract: A method of brazing includes placing a non-foam matrix in a gap and applying a molten braze material to the gap such that the molten braze material flows into the gap and through the non-foam matrix by capillary action to fill the gap and cools to form a solid braze in the gap. A brazed article includes at least one component defining a gap, a non-foam matrix in the gap and a solid braze interspersed through the non-foam matrix. The non-foam matrix and the solid braze fill the gap.

Abstract: A method for removing oxide from a metallic substrate is described. The method includes providing a stream of boron trifluoride; heating the metallic substrate at a first temperature; and heating the metallic substrate at a second temperature different from the first temperature. An associated apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A method of repairing an oxidized defect in a superalloy article includes removing substantially all of the oxidized defect to form a cleaned out portion of the superalloy article; filling a portion of the cleaned out portion with a weld by fusion welding; cracking the weld; and filling the cracked weld and a remaining portion of the cleaned out portion with a braze material.

Abstract: The present application provides a method of repairing a turbine blade. The method may include the steps of removing an existing tip cap from the turbine blade in whole or in part, machining the turbine blade to form a machined groove, positioning an insert in the machined groove, welding the insert to the turbine blade, and brazing the turbine blade.

Abstract: A method for removing oxide from a metallic substrate is described. The method includes providing a stream of boron trifluoride; heating the metallic substrate at a first temperature; and heating the metallic substrate at a second temperature different from the first temperature. An associated apparatus is also described.

Abstract: An article treatment method is disclosed including removing an affected area from an article, the article including the affected area and a substrate composed of a substrate material, forming an unaffected surface. A structural material is applied to the unaffected surface by cold spraying a plurality of particles of the structural material from a cold spray apparatus. The structural material and the article are finished, forming a treated article including an unused article conformation. A turbine component treatment method is disclosed for a turbine component including a hard-to-weld (HTW) alloy, wherein applying the structural material includes impacting the plurality of particles, and plastically deforming the plurality of particles to form a mechanical bond between the structural material and the HTW alloy. An airfoil treatment method is disclosed further including the cold spraying forming a near net shape of an unused airfoil composition.

Abstract: Process for reducing cracking in superalloy metal components by selectively growing large single grains during the casting operation at a region where fusion welding will be required.

Abstract: Process for reducing cracking in superalloy metal components by selectively growing large single grains during the casting operation at a region where fusion welding will be required.