Apparatus and method for direct writing of single crystal super alloys and metals

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for direct writing of single crystal super alloys and metals are provided. In one method, a substrate is heated to a pretermined temperature below its melting point, and a laser is used to form a melt pool on a surface of a substrate. The substrate is positioned on a base plate, and the laser and the base plate are movable relative to each other, with the laser being used for direct metal deposition and the substrate is heated to a temperature below its melting point. A superalloy powder is introduced to the melt pool, and the temperature of the melt pool is controlled to maintain a predetermined thermal gradient on a solid and liquid interface of the melt pool so as to form a single crystal deposit on the substrate.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.