Structure braze of hard-to-weld superalloy components using diffusion alloy insert

A method for treating a superalloy turbine component comprising the steps of:

• machining a tapered slot in the superalloy turbine component to remove a defect-containing portion of the superalloy turbine component;
• measuring the tapered slot to determine the tapered slot dimensions;
• forming an insert to have a corresponding geometry to the tapered slot with a braze gap ranging from about 0.0005 to about 0.01 inches between an outer surface of the insert and an inner surface of the tapered slot;
• depositing a layer of a braze material on the outer surface of the insert;
• sintering the layer of the braze material on the outer surface of the insert to fabricate a diffusion layer at a temperature between about 1800 and about 2300° F.;
• positioning the insert into the tapered slot;
• and
• brazing the superalloy turbine component to join the insert to the superalloy turbine component at a temperature between about 1800 and about 2350 ° F.

A treated superalloy turbine component comprising:

• a surface having a tapered slot;
• an insert positioned to the tapered slot with a braze gap ranging from 0.0005 to 0.01 inches between an outer surface of the insert and an inner surface of the tapered slot;
• and
• a braze joint comprising a braze material positioned in the braze gap, the braze material having been sintered on the outer surface of the insert, the superalloy turbine component having a diffusion layer between the insert and the superalloy turbine component.