Abstract: A method for repairing a blade for use in a gas turbine engine, the method comprising removing a distal tip of an airfoil included in the blade to remove damaged portions of the airfoil and to expose previously internal cooling passages. The method further comprising positioning a tip cap in the place of the removed distal tip to cover the internal cooling passages, and welding the tip cap to the airfoil by applying a directed energy beam onto the tip cap and the airfoil at a joint between the tip cap and the airfoil.

Abstract: An electrospark alloying apparatus includes a main body member, a collet coupled to the main body member, and a heat sink adjacent the collet. The collet is adapted to receive and hold a consumable electrode. The apparatus can also include a drive for rotating the electrode. Further, the apparatus can include an inert gas supply and a discharge opening in the main body member for facilitating lamellar gas flow of insert gas from the inert gas supply around the electrode. A method of electrospark alloying includes electrospark alloying a workpiece with a consumable electrode and cooling the electrode during the electrospark welding.