Self Healing Fusion Welding Technology

The properties of laser, microplasma and GTAW welds on representative gas turbine blade materials are disclosed. Proprietary filler materials and technology were used to clad multipass welds onto IN738, ReneN5 and CMSX4 alloys which were then subject to vacuum heat treatment before testing.It was found that welds with a bulk content of boron up to 0.6 wt. % demonstrated a capability to heal cracks adjacent to the fusion line (HAZ cracks) and they exhibited superior tensile and stress-rupture properties at a temperature of 982°C. Welds that comprised 1.5 to 2% silicon had superior oxidation resistance at a temperature of 995°C. Combined alloying of welds with moderate amount of boron and silicon produced a unique combination of both high mechanical and oxidation properties.Healing of HAZ cracks took place during post weld heat treatment at a temperature exceeding the solidus temperature of the weld metal eutectics but below of a solidus temperature of the base material. It was found that boron and silicon additives reduced welding pool solidification temperature and increased the solidus–liquidus range. At this temperature a partial re-melt of eutectics occurred allowing healing of HAZ and weld solidification cracks while weld geometry was supported by a continuous framework of high temperature dendrites. This allows the tip repair of turbine blades manufactured of precipitation strengthened superalloys that are normally prone to weld cracking.Copyright © 2014 by ASME