Abstract: An example track shoe, cutting edge, or other component of a machine is formed in a heated process, such as hot-rolling followed by air-hardening. The air-hardening process involves cooling the component by flowing air over the component (e.g., air cooling), such that the component is cooled at a controlled rate. During the air-cooling process, such as in the range of about 250° C. to about 1100° C., the component may be machined, such as by shearing, punching, drilling, etc. The machining may form the final shape of the component. As the air-hardening process is completed, and the component approaches room temperature, the component may have at least 5% bainitic crystal composition, and as high as greater than 80% bainitic crystal composition, resulting in relatively high hardness and fracture toughness. The final track shoe may have a hardness between about 40 HRC and 55 HRC.

Abstract: A used component, such as an engine block or engine head, has at least one dimension that does not match a dimensional specification for the component. A thermal spray coating of FeAlSiC is applied to build up the dimension. The excess coating is milled off so that the body and coating have a second shape that matches the dimensional specification for the component. The coating has an ordered DO3 crystal structure with a stable aluminum oxide scale that produces oxidation resistance at about 700° C.

Abstract: A restored or regenerated article including a residual substrate comprised of a first material and a restorative or regenerative layer of second material overlying at least a portion of the residual substrate. The second material is substantially similar in composition to the first material to promote an integral bond therebetween. The second material comprises the deposit of a suitable deposition process, i.e., vapor phase deposition, cathodic arc deposition, or sputtering. The restored/regenerated article includes an environmental coating at least partly diffused into the restorative or regenerative layer. The environmental coating comprises a deposit from a deposition process selected from vapor phase deposition, cathodic arc deposition, and combinations thereof. Heat treatments of about 2 hours or longer at temperatures between about 1500 ° F. to about 2300° F. (about 816° C. to about 1260° C.) to enhance the bond between the residual substrate and the restorative/regenerative layer.

Abstract: A method for restoring or regenerating an article, particularly a component for use in a gas turbine engine, includes providing a residual substrate comprised of a first material, evaluating a wall thickness of the residual substrate, and depositing a layer of a second material overlying at least a portion of the residual substrate. The second material is substantially similar in composition to the first material. The layer is deposited by vapor phase deposition, ion plasma deposition, cathodic arc deposition, sputtering, and combinations thereof. An environmental coating is deposited onto the component by vapor phase deposition, cathodic arc deposition, and combinations thereof. The method may include a heat treatment at temperatures between about 1500° F. to about 2300° F. (about 816° C. to about 1260° C.) for between about 2 to about 24 hours. The method may include a surface treatment such as grit blast polishing. Following use of the restored/regenerated component, the repair process may be repeated.

Abstract: A system for restoring or regenerating an article, such as turbine blade or vane for a gas turbine engine, includes a first cathode and a second cathode operably disposed in a deposition chamber. The first cathode includes a first deposition material substantially similar in composition to the material of a residual substrate. The second cathode includes a second deposition material able to form an environmental coating on a restored/regenerated component. The first and second cathodes may be sequentially operated without interrupting the vacuum conditions in the deposition chamber. A method for restoring or regenerating an article includes utilizing the first cathode to deposit a layer of first deposition material onto the residual substrate and subsequently applying the environmental coating utilizing a common deposition chamber, and without interrupting the vacuum conditions between depositions.

Abstract: A nickel-base braze material suitable for closing holes in a high temperature component, such as a tip cap hole in a turbine blade. The braze material comprises first and second filler materials and a binder. The first filler material comprises particles of a first alloy, and the second filler material comprises particles of at least a second alloy having a lower melting temperature than the first alloy. The second alloy consists essentially of, by weight, about 8 to about 23 percent chromium, about 4 to about 18 percent cobalt, about 1.5 to about 6.0 percent tantalum, about 1.0 to about 6.0 percent aluminum, about 0.3 to about 1.5 percent boron, about 2.0 to about 6.0 percent silicon, up to 0.2 percent carbon, the balance being nickel and incidental impurities.