Process for welding nickel-based superalloys
AssigneeQuantum Laser Corporation
InventorMark A. Everett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A process for preventing crack formation in nickel alloy substrates having a gamma-prime phase includes providing a substrate comprised of a nickel alloy having a gamma-prime phase. A portion of the substrate is irradiated with a laser beam and thereby forms a molten pool of the alloy. A supply of coating particles are dispersed within the pool, the particles are comprised of a nickel alloy having gamma-prime forming constitutents. Rapid relative motion between the beam and the pool is effected so that the pool rapidly solidifies and thereby minimizes the formation of gamma-prime therein and adjacent thereto.
Claims20
A process for preventing crack formation in nickel alloy substrates having a gamma-prime phase, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a substrate to be treated, said substrate comprising a nickel alloy having a gamma-prime phase;
- (b) exposing a portion of said substrate to a high power energy source and causing a molten pool of said alloy to be formed;
- (c) dispersing a supply of coating particles within said pool, said particles comprising a nickel alloy;
- and,
- (d) effecting rapid relative motion between said source and said pool so that said pool rapidly solidifies and thereby minimizes formation of gamma-prime therein and adjacent thereto.
A process for repairing the surface of a nickel alloy substrate having a gamma-prime phase, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a substrate having a surface defect, said substrate comprised of a first nickel alloy having a gamma-prime phase;
- (b) irradiating at least a portion of said defect with a laser beam and causing a molten pool of said alloy to be formed;
- (c) dispersing a supply of coating particles within said pool, said particles comprised of a second nickel alloy having gamma-prime forming constituents;
- and,
- (d) moving said beam relative to said pool so that said pool rapidly solidifies and thereby minimizes formation of gamma-prime therein and adjacent thereto.
A process for coating a nickel alloy substrate having a gamma-prime phase, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a substrate comprised of a first nickel alloy having a gamma-prime phase;
- (b) focusing a laser beam on said substrate and irradiating a portion of said substrate and forming a molten pool of said first alloy, said pool having a mass substantially less than the mass of said substrate;
- (c) pneumatically conveying a supply of coating particles to said pool and thereby causing the particles to be introduced into and dispersed throughout said pool, said particles comprised of a second nickel alloy having gamma-prime forming constituents;
- and,
- (d) rapidly moving said beam relative to said pool so that said pool rapidly solidifies and thereby substantially minimizes formation of gamma-prime therein and adjacent thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.