Abstract: A method of producing a metallic component includes: providing a body made of a first alloy; providing a preform comprising a metallic powder made of a second alloy and formed in the shape of an extension of the body; and heating the preform with microwave energy to sinter the metallic powder together and to bond the preform to the body. The method may be used to make new components as well as to repair or modify existing components.

Abstract: A method of repairing spline and seal teeth of a mated component is disclosed. The method includes a low energy input weld to deposit a repair material on the non-worn, non-pressure face of the splines while minimizing the HAZ grain size. The splined area of the component is then remachined to the original spline contour by removing original material from the worn, pressure face of the splines and excess repair material to produce a mated component with radially re-clocked splines that have original component material on the pressure face of the teeth.

Abstract: Methods for reducing carbon contamination when melting highly reactive alloys involving providing a graphite crucible having an interior, applying at least a first protective layer to the interior of the graphite crucible, placing a highly reactive alloy into the crucible having the first protective layer, and melting the highly reactive alloy to obtain a melted alloy having reduced carbon contamination.

Abstract: A coated article has a metallic substrate with a substrate composition, and a metallic coating overlying and contacting the metallic substrate. The metallic coating has a metallic-coating composition different from the substrate composition. A protective coating overlies and contacts the metallic coating. The protective coating includes an aluminide layer overlying and contacting the metallic coating, and optionally a thermal barrier coating overlying and contacting the aluminide layer. This structure may be used to restore a key dimension of an article that has previously been in service and to protect the article as well.

Abstract: Refractory crucibles capable of managing thermal stress and suitable for melting highly reactive alloys having a facecoat, a backing, and at least one retaining ring applied about at least a portion of the backing of the crucible, the retaining ring comprising a composition selected from the group consisting of conductive materials, non-conductive materials, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods for making refractory crucibles capable of managing thermal stresses and suitable for melting highly reactive alloys, the method involving providing a crucible having at least a facecoat and a backing, heating at least one retaining ring, applying the at least one retaining ring about at least a portion of the backing of the crucible; and allowing the at least one retaining ring to cool and shrink-fit about the crucible.

Abstract: Systems for centrifugally casting a highly reactive titanium metal including a cold wall induction crucible for containing a titanium metal charge, the induction crucible having a plurality of induction coils and a removable bottom plate, a power source to heat the titanium metal charge in the induction crucible to obtain a molten metal, a preheated secondary crucible for catching the molten metal as it falls from the induction crucible after the removable bottom plate has been withdrawn and the power source turned off, and a centrifugal casting machine for holding and accelerating the secondary crucible to centrifugally force the molten metal into a casting mold and produce a cast component.

Abstract: Methods for making a reinforced refractory crucible for melting titanium alloys including providing a form, applying a facecoat to the form, the facecoat having at least one facecoat layer, applying a backing about the facecoat, the backing having at least one backing layer, applying at least one reinforcing element to at least a portion of the facecoat layer, the backing layer, or a combination thereof where the reinforcing element includes at least one composition selected from ceramic compositions, metallic compositions, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Reinforced crucibles for melting titanium alloys having a facecoat including at least one facecoat layer, a backing including at least one backing layer, and at least one reinforcing element applied to at least a portion of one or more of the facecoat layer, the backing layer, or a combination thereof where the reinforcing element includes at least one composition selected from ceramic compositions, metallic compositions, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods for making refractory crucibles for melting titanium alloys including providing a form, applying a facecoat to the form, and applying a backing to the facecoat where the facecoat has at least one facecoat layer including an oxide selected from the group consisting of scandium oxide, yttrium oxide, hafnium oxide, a lanthanide series oxide, and combinations thereof and where the backing to the facecoat has a thickness ratio of from about 6.5:1 to about 20:1.

Abstract: A method of producing an airfoil including the steps of providing a first preform having a metallic powder of a first alloy, the first preform defining an airfoil body having curved pressure and suction sides. A tip cap is disposed between the pressure and suction sides of the airfoil at a radially outer end of the airfoil body. A partial height squealer tip extends radially outwards from the tip cap to provide a second preform that is a metallic powder of a second alloy different from the first alloy. The tip cap is formed in the shape of an extension of the squealer tip. The first and second preforms are sintered to consolidate the metal powders. An airfoil according to the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for welding two gamma titanium aluminide articles together. The method includes preheating the two articles to a welding temperature of from about 1700° F. to about 2100° F., thereafter electron beam welding the two articles together at the welding temperature and in a welding vacuum to form a welded structure, and thereafter annealing the welded structure at an annealing temperature of from about 1800° F. to about 2200° F., to form a joined structure.

Abstract: Articles for use with highly reactive alloys that include a graphite crucible having an interior, and at least a first protective layer applied to the interior of the graphite crucible in which the graphite crucible having the first protective layer is used for melting highly reactive alloys.

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 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: Methods for reducing carbon contamination when melting highly reactive alloys involving providing a graphite crucible having an interior, applying at least a first protective layer to the interior of the graphite crucible, placing a highly reactive alloy into the crucible having the first protective layer, and melting the highly reactive alloy to obtain a melted alloy having reduced carbon contamination.

Abstract: A sheet is prepared by mixing a mass of metallic powders with a temporary thermoplastic binder to form an injection-moldable mixture, thereafter injection molding the injection-moldable mixture to form a sheet precursor. The sheet precursor is consolidated to a relative density of substantially 100 percent to form the sheet, and thereafter heat treated. The final sheet is preferably a nickel-base superalloy having more than about 30 volume percent of gamma prime phase, or an intermetallic such as a titanium aluminide.

Abstract: A hollow airfoil is fabricated by providing a casting mold assembly including a casting mold, a casting core, and a standoff spacer that prevents the casting core from contacting the casting mold to define a casting space. A first nickel-base superalloy is cast into the casting space and solidified to form the hollow airfoil. The presence of a through-hole extending through a wall of the hollow airfoil is identified, and the through-hole is closed by welding using a second nickel-base superalloy, without using any freestanding closure element.

Abstract: A method of producing a metallic composite component or a blade for a gas turbine engine includes: providing a core of a ceramic or metallic foam material; disposing the core in a mold having a cavity defining the exterior contour of the component or blade includes; injecting the mixture into the mold so as to penetrate the intracellular volume of the foam; removing a majority of the binder from the preform; and heating the preform to remove the remainder of the binder and sinter the metal powder together to form the finished component or blade. A preform for a metallic composite component includes a core of a foam material having ceramic or metallic cell walls with intracellular volume therebetween. The core defines at least a portion of the exterior contour of the component. A mixture of a metallic powder and a binder is disposed in the intracellular volume.

Abstract: A method of producing a metallic component includes: providing a body made of a first alloy; providing a preform comprising a metallic powder made of a second alloy and formed in the shape of an extension of the body; and heating the preform with microwave energy to sinter the metallic powder together and to bond the preform to the body. The method may be used to make new components as well as to repair or modify existing components.