Abstract: A turbine engine includes an airfoil made of an aluminum-rare earth element alloy.

Abstract: A turbine engine includes an airfoil made of an aluminum-rare earth element alloy.

Abstract: A castable high temperature aluminum alloy is cast by controlled solidification that combines composition design and solidification rate control to synergistically enhance the performance and versatility of the castable aluminum alloy for a wide range of elevated temperature applications. In one example, the aluminum alloy contains by weight approximately 1.0-20.0% of rare earth elements that contribute to the elevated temperature strength by forming a dispersion of insoluble particles via a eutectic microstructure. The aluminum alloy also includes approximately 0.1 to 15% by weight of minor alloy elements. Controlled solidification improves microstructural uniformity and refinement and provides the optimum structure and properties for the specific casting condition. The molten aluminum alloy is poured into an investment casing shell and lowered into a quenchant at a controlled rate.

Abstract: A castable high temperature aluminum alloy is cast by controlled solidification that combines composition design and solidification rate control to synergistically enhance the performance and versatility of the castable aluminum alloy for a wide range of elevated temperature applications. In one example, the aluminum alloy contains by weight approximately 1.0-20.0% of rare earth elements that contribute to the elevated temperature strength by forming a dispersion of insoluble particles via a eutectic microstructure. The aluminum alloy also includes approximately 0.1 to 15% by weight of minor alloy elements. Controlled solidification improves microstructural uniformity and refinement and provides the optimum structure and properties for the specific casting condition. The molten aluminum alloy is poured into an investment casing shell and lowered into a quenchant at a controlled rate.

Abstract: A castable high temperature aluminum alloy is cast by controlled solidification that combines composition design and solidification rate control to synergistically enhance the performance and versatility of the castable aluminum alloy for a wide range of elevated temperature applications. In one example, the aluminum alloy contains by weight approximately 1.0-20.0% of rare earth elements that contribute to the elevated temperature strength by forming a dispersion of insoluble particles via a eutectic microstructure. The aluminum alloy also includes approximately 0.1 to 15% by weight of minor alloy elements. Controlled solidification improves microstructural uniformity and refinement and provides the optimum structure and properties for the specific casting condition. The molten aluminum alloy is poured into an investment casing shell and lowered into a quenchant at a controlled rate.

Abstract: A dispersion strengthened castable aluminum-rare earth alloy provides high strength at elevated temperatures. In one example, the aluminum alloy includes approximately 1.0 to 20.0% by weight of gadolinium, approximately 0.1 to 10.0% total by weight of other rare earth elements including ytterbium, erbium or yttrium, and approximately 0.1 to 15.0% total by weight of minor alloy elements. In another example, the aluminum alloy includes approximately 1.0 to 20% by weight of ytterbium, approximately 0.1 to 10.0% total by weight of other rare earth elements including gadolinium, erbium or yttrium, and approximately 0.1 to 10.0% total by weight of minor alloy elements. After casting, the aluminum alloy is solidified and cooled. During solidification, the aluminum matrix excludes the rare earth alloy elements from the aluminum matrix, forming eutectic rare earth element-containing dispersoids that strengthen the aluminum matrix.

Abstract: An investment casting process utilizes rapid cooling during solidification to achieve a desired final microstructure. A molten high temperature aluminum alloy is poured into a ceramic shell mold. The ceramic shell mold is then lowered into an oil bath held in a quenching tank to rapidly cool the molten material. Thus, solidification takes place quickly via rapid extraction of the latent heat of the metal by the quenching oil bath. The rapid solidification achieves a uniform fine microstructure in an as-cast component.

Abstract: An investment casting process utilizes rapid cooling during solidification to achieve a desired final microstructure. A molten high temperature aluminum alloy is poured into a ceramic shell mold. The ceramic shell mold is then lowered into an oil bath held in a quenching tank to rapidly cool the molten material. Thus, solidification takes place quickly via rapid extraction of the latent heat of the metal by the quenching oil bath. The rapid solidification achieves a uniform fine microstructure in an as-cast component.