A new high temperature brazing technology for the repair of turbine components made of single crystalline nickel based superalloys has been developed. It allows the repair of single crystalline parts by producing an epitaxially grown braze gap within very short times. In contrast to commonly used brazing technologies, the process is not diffusion based but works with consolute systems, particularly nickel-manganese alloys. Brazing experiments with 300 m wide parallel braze gaps, as well as V-shaped gaps with a maximum width of 250 m, were conducted. Furthermore, thermodynamic simulations, with the help of THERMOCALC software, Version TCR, were carried out to identify compositions with a suitable melting behavior and phase formation. With the new alloys complete, epitaxial bridging of both gap shapes has been achieved within brazing times as short as 10 min.
Purpose
Fused deposition modelling (FDM) is increasingly being explored as a commercial fabrication method due to its ability to produce net or near-net shape parts directly from a computer-aided design model. Other benefits of technology compared to conventional manufacturing include lower cost for short runs, reduced product lead times and rapid product design. High-performance polymers such as polyetherimide, have the potential for FDM fabrication and their high-temperature capabilities provide the potential of expanding the applications of FDM parts in automotive and aerospace industries. However, their relatively high glass transition temperature (215 °C) causes challenges during manufacturing due to the requirement of high-temperature build chambers and controlled cooling rates. The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanical properties of ULTEM 1010, an unfilled polyetherimide grade.
Design/methodology/approach
In this research, mechanical properties were evaluated through tensile and flexural tests. Analysis of variance was used to determine the significance of process parameters to the mechanical properties of the specimens, their main effects and interactions. The fractured surfaces were analysed by scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy and porosity was assessed by X-ray microcomputed tomography.
Findings
A range of mean tensile and flexural strengths, 60–94 MPa and 62–151 MPa, respectively, were obtained highlighting the dependence of performance on process parameters and their interactions. The specimens were found to fracture in a brittle manner. The porosity of tensile samples was measured between 0.18% and 1.09% and that of flexural samples between 0.14% and 1.24% depending on the process parameters. The percentage porosity was found to not directly correlate with mechanical performance, rather the location of those pores in the sample.
Originality/value
This analysis quantifies the significance of the effect of each of the examined process parameters has on the mechanical performance of FDM-fabricated specimens. Further, it provides a better understanding of the effect process parameters and their interactions have on the mechanical properties and porosity of FDM-fabricated polyetherimide specimens. Additionally, the fracture surface of the tested specimens is qualitatively assessed.
A new high temperature brazing technology for the repair of turbine components made of single crystalline nickel based superalloys has been developed. It allows the repair of single crystalline parts by producing an epitaxially grown braze gap within very short times. In contrast to commonly used brazing technologies the process is not diffusion based but works with consolute systems, particularly nickel-manganese alloys. Brazing experiments with 300 μm wide parallel braze gaps as well as V-shaped gaps with a maximum width of 250 μm were conducted. Furthermore, thermodynamic simulations with the help of ThermoCalc software, Version TCR were carried out to identify compositions with a suitable melting behavior and phase formation. With the new alloys complete epitaxial bridging of both gap shapes has been achieved within brazing times as short as ten minutes.
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