Article, component, and method of making a component

An assembly comprising:

• a hot gas path component comprising:
• a first end wall having a first contoured surface;
• a second end wall having a second contoured surface facing the first contoured surface;
• and
• an airfoil positioned between the first end wall and the second end wall, the airfoil having an airfoil outer surface;
• and
• a pre-sintered preform having a proximal face secured to at least one of the first contoured surface, the second contoured surface, and the airfoil outer surface, the pre-sintered preform further having a contoured distal face opposite the contoured proximal face;
• wherein a contour of the proximal face mirrors the at least one of the first contoured surface, the second contoured surface, and the airfoil outer surface such that the proximal face is in continuous, direct contact with the at least one of the first contoured surface, the second contoured surface, and the airfoil outer surface;
• wherein the pre-sintered preform is formed of a mixture of a first powder material and a second powder material, the second powder material being a braze alloy;
• and
• wherein the first powder material is the same material as the hot gas path component.

A method comprising:

• forming an article comprising a pre-sintered preform having a proximal face and a distal face;
• contouring the proximal face of the pre-sintered preform to form a contoured proximal face;
• and
• securing the contoured proximal face of the pre-sintered preform to one of a first end wall, a second end wall, and an airfoil portion of a component;
• wherein, prior to the step of securing, the contoured proximal face mirrors a contour of the one of the first end wall, the second end wall, and the airfoil portion of the component;
• wherein the step of securing the contoured proximal face to the contour of the component results in continuous, direct contact between the contoured proximal face and the contour of the component;
• wherein the pre-sintered preform is formed of a mixture of a first powder material and a second powder material, the second powder material being a braze alloy;
• and
• wherein the first powder material is the same material as the component.