Sulzer-mtu Casting Technology Gmbh

Bruno Walser

Fritz Staub

Jurgen Wortmann

Robert Wege

A process and apparatus for the production of a single-crystal article, such as a turbine blade, by casting a molten metal into a casting mold with a single crystal seed crystal at the bottom of the casting mold. The casting mold is heated and vacuum-purified after which the seed crystal is introduced into an opening at the bottom of the mold in a matter of a few seconds whereafter the molten metal is immediately cast onto the seed crystal in the casting mold. The seed crystal is carried by a holder which is lifted to bring the seed crystal into the open bottom of the casting mold in sealed relation in the mold.

Process and apparatus for production of single-crystal turbine blades

A process and apparatus for the repair of single-crystal drive blades, such as turbine blades, in which a sound portion of the blade is inserted into an open bottom of a casting mold in communication with a casting cavity in the mold adopted to the shape of the blade. The molten metal is then cast into the mold to unite with the sound portion and an epitaxial single-crystal solidification of the melt is produced on the sound portion to form the entire blade. A part of the sound portion has an outer surface layer thereof removed to expose a core region which is constituted of substantially pure single crystal material prior to casting. The sound part is secured in a holder which is coupled to the casting mold for only a matter of seconds before the molten metal is cast into the mold.

Process and apparatus for repair of drive blades such as turbine blades

A process for the repair of single-crystal drive blades, such as turbine blades, in which a sound portion of the blade is inserted into an open bottom of a casting mold in communication with a casting cavity in the mold adopted to the shape of the blade. The molten metal is then cast into the mold to unite with the sound portion and an epitaxial single-crystal solidification of the melt is produced on the sound portion to form the entire blade. A part of the sound portion has an outer surface layer thereof removed to expose a core region which is constituted of substantially pure single crystal material prior to casting. The sound part is secured in a holder which is coupled to the casting mold for only a matter of seconds before the molten metal is cast into the mold.

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Schottiken, Switzerland

Bruno Walser