General Electric Company

Kenneth J Meltsner

Andrew Philip Woodfield

Michael F Gigliotti, Jr

Russell W Smashey

A hollow article is made by providing and diffusion bonding the opposing parts of an article made of an alpha-beta titanium alloy. Hydrogen is introduced into the surface of an internal cavity before, during, or after diffusion bonding. The article is heat treated with the hydrogen present, typically by solution treating and aging the hydrogen-containing bonded article. The result is the production of a microstructure at the internal surface of the cavity that is resistant to fatigue-crack initiation, while retaining a microstructure throughout the rest of the article that is resistant to fatigue-crack propagation. After heat treating, the hydrogen Is removed from the article, and any further heat treating and other operations are completed.

Fatigue-resistant hollow articles

A hollow article is made by providing and diffusion bonding the opposing parts of an article made of an alpha-beta titanium alloy. Hydrogen is introduced into the surface of an internal cavity before, during, or after diffusion bonding. The article is heat treated with the hydrogen present, typically by solution treating and aging the hydrogen-containing bonded article. The result is the production of a microstructure at the internal surface of the cavity that is resistant to fatigue-crack initiation, while retaining a microstructure throughout the rest of the article that is resistant to fatigue-crack propagation. After heat treating, the hydrogen is removed from the article, and any further heat treating and other operations are completed.

Growing community of inventors

Johnstown, PA, United States of America

Kenneth J Meltsner