Method for applying an abrasive layer to titanium alloy compressor airfoils

A method for providing an abrasive layer on the tip portion of a turbine engine blade made from a titanium base alloy, comprising the steps of:

• (a) electroplating a first layer of nickel onto the blade tip, the first nickel being between about 12 and 18 microns thick;
• (b) electroplating a second layer of nickel onto the first nickel layer, the second nickel layer being about 1 micron thick or less:
• (c) electroplating a third layer of nickel onto the second nickel layer, and then submerging the blade tip in a slurry of electrically nonconductive particulates and plating solution, the slurry present on a membrane permeable to electric current and plating solution, and continuing the electroplating of the third nickel layer;
• (d) electroplating a fourth layer of nickel onto the third nickel layer, the combined thickness of the third and fourth nickel layers being less than about 95% of the average dimension of the particulates embedded therein and greater than about 50% of said average dimension;
• and
• (e) heat treating the blade at a temperature to cause diffusion between the first nickel layer and the blade tip.