Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate-triggered single crystal superalloy directional solidification process, including: (1) preparing a single crystal substrate material having crystallographic characteristics that match crystallographic characteristics of the single crystal superalloy; (2) fabricating a single crystal substrate chilling plate using the obtained single crystal substrate material; and (3) applying the obtained single crystal substrate chilling plate in a directional solidification apparatus, and then preparing a single crystal alloy product by performing superalloy melting and directional solidification.

Abstract: A casting system for forming a directionally-solidified casting component is provided. The casting system defines an axial direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The casting system includes a chamber and a baffle plate disposed within the chamber. The chamber and the baffle plate collectively define a heating zone and a cooling zone. The heating zone and the cooling zone are separated by the baffle plate. The casting system further includes a shaft and a cooling plate disposed on the shaft. The cooling plate is movable between the heating zone and the cooling zone. A mold shell is disposed on the cooling plate. The casting system further includes a cooling system for directing a coolant fluid towards the mold shell.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integrally formed bladed disk of a turbomachine, includes manufacturing a plurality of blades, the blades including a root and a profiled portion; and spark plasma sintering the blades with a metal powder, the blades being angularly distributed over a contour of an annular spark plasma sintering mold, the root of the blades being embedded into the metal powder, the profiled portion of the blades protruding from the metal powder radially outwardly.

Abstract: A multi-grain selector device includes an outer body having exterior surfaces. The outer body includes a cooling side configured to face a cooling plate of a casting furnace and an opposite mold side configured to face into a mold. The outer body includes an array of multiple grain selector columns each formed from two or more transversely oriented, elongated channels that are fluidly coupled with each other in an end-to-end arrangement oriented along a growth direction that extends from the cooling side of the outer body toward the mold side of the outer body. The selector columns extend to growth openings on the mold side of the outer body. Each of the selector columns is configured to form a single grain column out of the corresponding growth opening that is part of a columnar grained article to be formed in the mold that grows along the growth direction.

Abstract: A method of forming a directionally-solidified casting component using a casting system is provided. The casting system includes a chamber having a heating zone and a cooling zone separated by a baffle plate. The method includes pouring an alloy in a liquid state into a mold shell. The mold shell is positioned on a chill plate within the heating zone. The method further includes moving the mold shell from the heating zone into the cooling zone. The alloy transfers from the liquid state to a solid state within the mold shell while moving the mold shell from the heating zone to the cooling zone. The method further includes contacting the mold shell with a heat transfer member.

Abstract: A Ni-based superalloy composition to be used for powder-based additive manufacturing (AM) technology, such as selective laser melting (SLM) or electron beam melting (EBM). The cracking susceptibility during an AM process is considerably reduced by controlling the amount of elements, especially Hf, that form low-melting eutectics.

Abstract: A composition includes, by weight percent: Cobalt (Co) between about 4.5 and about 7.0; Chromium (Cr) between about 10.2 and about 11.5; Molybdenum (Mo) between about 0.5 and about 2.5; Tungsten (W) between about 4.0 and about 5.5; Rhenium (Re) between about 0 and about 1.2; Aluminum (Al) between about 6.2 and about 6.8; Tantalum (Ta) between about 4.5 and about 6.0; Titanium (Ti) between about 0 and about 0.5; Hafnium (Hf) between about 0 and about 0.5; Carbon (C) between about 0 and about 0.2; Boron (B) between about 0 and about 0.02; and the balance Nickel (Ni), and other incidental impurities.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a plurality of single-crystal nozzle sectors each including at least a first blade extending between two platforms by lost-wax casting, includes casting a molten metal into a plurality of ceramic molds distributed in a cluster about an axis, and directional solidification of the cast metal in a furnace comprising a radiant heating element configured to be arranged around the cluster, a solidification front of the metal advancing in each mold in a direction parallel to the cluster axis during directional solidification. Each mold of a second shell separate from a first molding shell of the nozzle sector, which delimits a second cavity for molding a dummy blade acting as a heat shield.

Abstract: A casting method includes forming a seed. The seed has a first end and a second end and an inner diameter (ID) surface and an outer diameter (OD) surface. The seed second end is placed in contact or spaced facing relation with a chill plate. The first end is contacted with molten material. The molten material is cooled and solidified so that a crystalline structure of the seed propagates into the solidifying material. At least a portion of the seed contacted with the molten material has a solidus higher than a solidus of at least an initial pour portion of the molten material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a melt back of a seed in a boule are provided. The method includes lifting a boule once it has been produced using an actuating device onto a support table to automatically manipulate the boule from a furnace to the support table. The melt back of the seed is then automatically measured using a vision system that is installed on an imaging device disposed below the boule.

Abstract: A core pack has at least two cores. The cores have chaplet sections that are oriented relative to one another and form a print. A chaplet is or can be placed on and/or against the print, thus allowing the cores to be secured relative to one another.

Abstract: A method for producing a cast component is provided. The method includes attaching a ceramic mold to a seed crystal body, the ceramic mold including a cavity defining the shape of the cast component and a seed crystal body interface having a complementary shape to the seed crystal body such that the seed crystal body may be capable of supporting the ceramic mold in a casting oven. The method also includes pouring a liquid metal into the mold such that the crystal seed portion contributes to controlled crystallization of the cast component.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a turbine blade 1, is provided. The method comprises the following steps: producing a shell and core assembly by additive manufacturing process, the shell and core assembly defining at least one internal cavity and having an internal structure corresponding to at least one internal cooling circuit of the turbine blade; pouring molten metal in the internal cavity of the shell and core assembly; solidifying the metal; removing the shell and core assembly.

Abstract: An induction furnace assembly comprising a chamber having a mold; a primary inductive coil coupled to the chamber; a layered susceptor comprising at least two layers of magnetic field attenuating material surrounding the chamber between the primary inductive coil and the mold to nullify the electromagnetic field in the hot zone of the furnace chamber.

Abstract: An induction furnace assembly comprising a chamber having a mold; a primary inductive coil coupled to the chamber; a layered susceptor comprising at least two layers of magnetic field attenuating material surrounding the chamber between the primary inductive coil and the mold to nullify the electromagnetic field in the hot zone of the furnace chamber.

Abstract: A process for directional solidification of a cast part comprises energizing a primary inductive coil coupled to a chamber having a mold containing a material; generating an electromagnetic field with the primary inductive coil within the chamber, wherein said electromagnetic field is partially attenuated by a susceptor coupled to said chamber between said primary inductive coil and said mold; determining a magnetic flux profile of the electromagnetic field after it passes through the susceptor; sensing a component of the magnetic flux in the interior of the susceptor proximate the mold; positioning a mobile secondary compensation coil within the chamber; generating a control field from a secondary compensation coil, wherein said control field controls said magnetic flux; and casting the material within the mold.

Abstract: A ceramic material mold for use in molding a turbine engine blade from a molten metal, the blade including a root, an inner platform, an airfoil, and an outer platform, and the mold including a cavity having the shape of the blade, and an auxiliary grain duct including a first segment and a second segment that is an extension of the first segment, the first segment opening out at one end into a first portion of the cavity forming the root of the blade, and at another end into a second portion of the cavity forming a lip of the inner platform of the blade, the second segment opening out at one end into the second portion of the cavity, and at another end into a third portion of the cavity forming a lip of the outer platform of the blade.

Abstract: A mould for casting a component in a directional solidification casting process having a preferred direction of grain growth (non-axial <001>) comprises a shell defining a cavity for receiving molten material. The cavity defines a three dimensional shape made up of a finished component geometry portion (42, 43, 44) and a sacrificial geometry portion (45) wherein the sacrificial geometry portion (45) includes a notch (48) which is shaped and positioned so as to, in use, contain high angle grain boundaries between dendritic growth in the preferred direction (non-axial <001>) and dendritic growth in a competing direction to the preferred direction (axial <001>) within the sacrificial geometry portion of a casting solidifying in the mould.

Abstract: A method for casting comprising: providing a seed, the seed characterized by: an arcuate form and a crystalline orientation progressively varying along an arc of the form; providing molten material; and cooling and solidifying the molten material so that a crystalline structure of the seed propagates into the solidifying material.

Abstract: A method of forming a component having an internal passage defined therein includes selectively positioning a lattice structure at least partially within a cavity of a mold. The lattice structure is formed from a first material, and a core is positioned in a channel defined through the lattice structure, such that at least a portion of the core extends within the cavity. The method also includes introducing a component material in a molten state into the cavity, such that the component material in the molten state at least partially absorbs the first material from the lattice structure. The method further includes cooling the component material in the cavity to form the component, wherein at least the portion of the core defines the internal passage within the component.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal single crystal turbine component with internal passageways includes forming a polycrystalline turbine blade with internal passageways by additive manufacturing and filling the passageways with a core ceramic slurry. The ceramic slurry is then treated to harden the core and the turbine component is encased in a ceramic shell which is treated to form a ceramic mold. The turbine component in the mold is then melted and directionally solidified in the form of a single crystal. The outer shell and inner ceramic core are then removed to form a finished single crystal turbine component with internal passageways.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of monocrystalline casting, and in particular to a mold (1) for monocristalline casting comprising at least a molding cavity (7), a starter cavity (10) having at least a first volume (10a) in the form of an upside-down funnel, and a distinct second volume (10b) forming a plinth at the bottom of the first volume and projecting perceptibly relative to said first volume in at least one horizontal direction, a selector channel (9) connecting said starter cavity (10) to said molding cavity (7), and a support rod (20) that is laterally offset relative to said selector channel, and that connects the second volume (10b) of the starter cavity (10) to the molding cavity (7). The invention also provides a casting method using such a mold (1).

Abstract: One embodiment includes a method to regenerate a component (10). The method includes additively manufacturing a component (10) to have voids greater than 0 percent but less than approximately 15 percent in a near finished shape. The component (10) is encased in a shell mold (22). The shell mold (22) is cured. The encased component (10) is placed in a furnace and the component (10) is melted. The component (10) is solidified in the shell mold (22). The shell mold (22) is removed from the solidified component (10).

Abstract: One embodiment includes a method to regenerate a component. The method includes additively manufacturing the component with at least a portion of the component in a near finished shape. The component is encased in a shell mold, the shell mold is cured, the encased component is placed in a furnace and the component is melted, the component is solidified in the shell mold, and the shell mold is removed from the solidified component.

Abstract: A process for casting a turbine wheel includes steps of identifying a metal composition from which the turbine wheel is to be cast, providing a mold that defines a cavity into which molten metal composition is to be poured for casting the wheel, providing a seed member made of the metal composition and having an equiaxed grain structure, disposing at least a portion of the seed member within the cavity of the mold, pouring the molten metal composition into the cavity such that the molten metal composition envelops the portion of the seed member within the cavity, and controlling the process so that the portion of the seed member at least partially melts through contact with the molten metal composition and so that, upon cooling, the metal composition around the seed member solidifies with an equiaxed grain structure as precipitated by the equiaxed grain structure of the seed member.

Abstract: A single-crystal seed, apparatus and process for producing a casting having a single-crystal (SX) microstructure. The seed has a geometry that includes a vertex capable of destabilizing an oxide film that forms at the interface between the seed and a molten metal during the casting process, and thereby promotes a continuous single-crystal grain growth and reduces grain misorientation defects that can initiate from the seed/metal interface.

Abstract: A method for recharging a crucible with polycrystalline silicon comprises adding flowable chips to a crucible used in a Czochralski-type process. Flowable chips are polycrystalline silicon particles made from polycrystalline silicon prepared by a chemical vapor deposition process, and flowable chips have a controlled particle size distribution, generally nonspherical morphology, low levels of bulk impurities, and low levels of surface impurities. Flowable chips can be added to the crucible using conventional feeder equipment, such as vibration feeder systems and canister feeder systems.

Abstract: A method is provided for casting an article such as a blade having an attachment root and an airfoil, the airfoil having a proximal end and a distal end. The method comprises introducing a molten alloy into a mold; and varying a composition of the introduced alloy during the introduction so as to produce a compositional variation.

Abstract: A system for producing cast components from molten metal. One form of the present invention includes a system for the precision pouring of molten metal within a casting mold.

Abstract: A component such as a turbine bucket or blade, and method for making the component, are presented. One embodiment is an article that comprises an airfoil casting portion comprising a plurality of integral regions, wherein the plurality of integral regions comprises a single-crystalline region and a columnar-grained region. Another embodiment is a method for fabricating an article. The method comprises providing a quantity of molten metal; providing a mold defining an airfoil portion having an axial direction and a transverse direction, wherein the airfoil portion of the mold comprises a single-crystal growth region and a columnar growth region disposed along the transverse direction from the single crystal growth region; introducing the molten metal into the mold; and solidifying the metal such that a solidification front progresses in the axial direction to produce an airfoil casting portion comprising a single-crystalline region and a columnar-grained region.

Abstract: A casting method and apparatus are provided for casting a near-net shape article, such as for example a gas turbine engine blade or vane having a variable cross-section along its length. A molten metallic melt is provided in a heated mold having an article-shaped mold cavity with a shape corresponding to that of the article to be cast. The melt-containing mold and mold heating furnace are relatively moved to withdraw the melt-containing mold from the furnace through an active cooling zone where cooling gas is directed against the exterior of the mold to actively extract heat. At least one of the mold withdrawal rate, the cooling gas mass flow rate, and mold temperature are adjusted at the active cooling zone as the melt-containing mold is withdrawn through the active cooling zone to produce an equiaxed grain microstructure along at least a part of the length of the article.

Abstract: A method is provided for casting a gas turbine component having at least a first section and a second section. As per the method, a liquid metal is cast into a casting mold and solidification of the metal is induced by means of controlled cooling. The cooling of the liquid metal in the first section is controlled in such a way that the metal solidifies in a directionally solidified crystal structure or a single-crystal structure. In the second section the cooling is carried out in such a way that it solidifies in a multidirectional crystal structure.

Abstract: Metal ingots for forming single-crystal shape-memory alloys (SMAs) may be fabricated with high reliability and control by alloying thin layers of material together. In this method, a reactive layer (e.g., aluminum) is provided in thin flat layers between layers of other materials (e.g., copper and layers of nickel). When the stacked layers are vacuum heated in a crucible to the melting temperature of the reactive layer, it becomes reactive and chemically bonds to the other layers, and may form eutectics that, as the temperature is further increased, melt homogeneously and congruently at temperatures below the melting temperatures of copper and nickel. Oxidation and evaporation are greatly reduced compared to other methods of alloying, and loss of material from turbulence is minimized.

Abstract: An investment casting process is provided in which a molten aluminum metal is cast into a refractory mold and thereafter cooled to solidify the metal in the mold. The improvement includes the step of cooling the mold and solidifying the metal therein which is carried out by placing the mold in a chamber adapted to retain a liquid. The mold is mounted in a stationary condition in the chamber. A coolant liquid is introduced into the chamber to immerse the mold in the liquid while maintaining the mold in a stationary condition.

Abstract: A single-crystal seed, apparatus and process for producing a casting having a single-crystal (SX) microstructure. The seed has a geometry that includes a vertex capable of destabilizing an oxide film that forms at the interface between the seed and a molten metal during the casting process, and thereby promotes a continuous single-crystal grain growth and reduces grain misorientation defects that can initiate from the seed/metal interface.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a turbine stator component includes a first endwall; a second endwall; a first stator airfoil coupled between the first and second endwalls; and a second stator airfoil adjacent to the first airfoil and coupled between the first and second endwalls. The first stator airfoil has first crystallographic primary and secondary orientations. The second stator airfoil has second crystallographic primary and secondary orientations, the first crystallographic primary and secondary orientations being different from the second crystallographic primary and secondary orientations.

Abstract: Previously a number of techniques have been used in order to form single crystal or pre-determined crystallography components and articles. Each one of these techniques has its own particular problems, including susceptibility to error. By utilization of a bi-crystal experiment to determine melt-back length LM and by consideration of the ingress distance d from potential initiation nucleation points on a perimeter of a seed crystal, it is possible to determine a maximum ingress length d. By ensuring that the maximum ingress length d is less than or equal to a seed crystal diameter R, it is possible to project locus from potential nucleation points C1, C2 in terms of potential radii for stray grain propagation. As the seed crystal will have a known crystalline orientation, it will be possible to consider two divergent growth curves of the crystal in terms of the stray grains propagating from the point C1, C2.

Abstract: A process capable of producing large metallic castings having lengths of one hundred centimeters or more and a unidirectional crystal structure substantially free of freckle defects. The process includes preheating a mold within a heating zone of a directional casting apparatus, pouring a molten metal alloy into a cavity of the mold, and then withdrawing the mold from the heating zone, through a heat shield, and into a cooling zone of the directional casting apparatus to directionally solidify the molten metal alloy within the cavity. The heating and cooling zones establish an axial thermal gradient that defines a solidification front in the molten metal alloy within the cavity. The mold is withdrawn at a withdrawal rate that, in combination with the axial thermal gradient, causes the solidification front to be substantially flat and perpendicular to the withdrawal direction.

Abstract: In the casting of a single crystal component, such as a turbine blade, by the lost wax casting technique, one or more ceramic pieces are positioned on a wax pattern at locations corresponding to parts of the cast component where relatively quick solidification of molten metal may occur during casting. A coating is subsequently formed around the wax pattern to define a mould, whereupon the wax is removed to leave the one or more ceramic pieces within the formed mould.

Abstract: A component such as a turbine bucket or blade, and method for making the component, are presented. One embodiment is an article that comprises an airfoil casting portion comprising a plurality of integral regions, wherein the plurality of integral regions comprises a single-crystalline region and a columnar-grained region. Another embodiment is a method for fabricating an article. The method comprises providing a quantity of molten metal; providing a mold defining an airfoil portion having an axial direction and a transverse direction, wherein the airfoil portion of the mold comprises a single-crystal growth region and a columnar growth region disposed along the transverse direction from the single crystal growth region; introducing the molten metal into the mold; and solidifying the metal such that a solidification front progresses in the axial direction to produce an airfoil casting portion comprising a single-crystalline region and a columnar-grained region.

Abstract: A process for casting a turbine engine component is provided. The process comprises the steps of placing a refractory metal core assembly comprising two intersecting plates in a die, encapsulating the refractory metal core assembly in a wax pattern having the form of the turbine engine component, forming a ceramic shell mold about the wax pattern, removing the wax pattern, and pouring molten material into the ceramic shell mold to form the turbine engine component.

Abstract: A ceramic core used for cast an air cooled turbine rotor blade or stator vane for a gas turbine engine, the ceramic core includes a larger ceramic core piece connected to a smaller ceramic core piece with a number of even smaller cross-over hole forming pieces connecting the larger piece to the smaller piece, and a strain relief slot formed in the larger ceramic core piece adjacent to the cross-over hole forming pieces that prevent the smaller cross-over hole pieces from breaking during the casting process from relative movement of the larger ceramic core piece with respect to the smaller ceramic core piece. The strain relief slot can be used to cast a rotor blade or a stator vane.

Abstract: A method of producing a component wherein a directionally solidified columnar grained cast superalloy material is heat treated such that a secondary phase of the alloy is only partly solved, thereby providing improved transverse stress rupture strength compared to fully solved alloys.

Abstract: A single-crystal seed, apparatus and process for producing a casting having a single-crystal (SX) microstructure. The seed has a geometry that includes a vertex capable of destabilizing an oxide film that forms at the interface between the seed and a molten metal during the casting process, and thereby promotes a continuous single-crystal grain growth and reduces grain misorientation defects that can initiate from the seed/metal interface.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a single-crystal turbomachine nozzle guide vane including an airfoil between two platforms is disclosed. The process includes pouring molten metal into a shell mold followed by directional solidification from a single crystal provided by a single-crystal grain provider device placed in the mold and having a predetermined orientation coinciding with the vertical. The volumes of the mold forming the platforms are oriented in a plane parallel to the vertical direction of the single crystal. The single-crystal grain providing device emerges in a grain duct forming a connection between the device and the lower ends of the platforms. The grain duct is shaped to present two branches for feeding the platforms and a web-shaped volume extending between the feed branches, the platforms and a lower edge of the airfoil. The upper edge of the volume forming the airfoil is inclined to the horizontal direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for casting an alloy using a unidirectional casting technique. The apparatus includes a mold adapted to contain a molten quantity of an alloy, a primary heating zone adapted to heat the mold and the molten alloy therein to a temperature above the liquidus temperature of the alloy, a cooling zone adapted to cool the mold and molten alloy therein to a temperature below the solidus temperature of the alloy and thereby yield the unidirectionally-solidified casting, and an insulation zone between the primary heating zone and the cooling zone. The apparatus also has a secondary heating zone separated from the insulation zone by the primary heating zone. The secondary heating zone maintains the mold and the molten alloy therein at a temperature below the liquidus temperature of the alloy. The temperatures within the primary and secondary heating zones are individually set and controlled.

Abstract: A system for producing cast components from molten metal. One form of the present invention includes a system for the precision pouring of molten metal within a casting mold. The precision pouring system is driven by a pressure differential.

Abstract: A turbine bucket includes an airfoil and a shroud. The shroud includes first and second bearing surfaces, and the first and second bearing surfaces each comprise a single grain structure. A method for forming a turbine bucket includes orienting a mold vertically, wherein the mold includes a first portion that defines a shank, a second portion connected to the first portion that defines an airfoil, and a third portion connected to the second portion that defines a shroud, wherein the third portion includes first and second sides, and wherein the first portion is higher than the second portion and the second portion is higher than the third portion. The method further includes flowing a molten metal into the mold and selectively growing large single grains in at least one of the first or second sides.

Abstract: In the case of a device for the melting and/or crystallizing of non-ferrous metals, especially of silicon, provision is made, for improving the quality of the crystallized and block-shaped non-ferrous metal, for there to be arranged around a container for receiving the non-ferrous metal at least one controllable cooling element for the active removal of heat from the non-ferrous metal.

Abstract: An investment casting mold article includes a wall for retaining casting material and a cavity defined by the wall. The cavity includes an airfoil portion, a root portion adjacent to the airfoil portion, and a labyrinth seal portion extending from the root portion.