Process for improving the hot workability of a cast superalloy ingot

A process for hot working a superalloy ingot comprising the steps of:

• providing a cast ingot of a superalloy, said ingot having a longitudinal surface and first and second end surfaces;
• inserting said ingot into a metal canister that is adapted to contain said ingot, said ingot being positioned within said metal canister so as to provide an annular space between said ingot and the metal canister;
• filling said annular space with a metal powder that is selected to readily bond with the surfaces of said ingot and said metal canister;
• closing the metal canister with said ingot and said metal powder inside;
• removing gas and moisture from the interior of said metal canister;
• hot isostatically pressing said metal canister with said ingot and said metal powder inside to form an assembly having a cladding formed about the entire ingot;
• heating the assembly to a temperature suitable for hot working the superalloy;
• and then
• mechanically working the assembly to a desired shape and size.

An assembly for facilitating hot working of a superalloy ingot comprising:

• an ingot formed of a superalloy;
• a layer of cladding surrounding said superalloy ingot;
• and
• a layer of consolidated metal powder disposed between the ingot and the cladding layer and bonded to said ingot and said layer of cladding.