Howmet Research Corporation

Howmet Corporation

Robert E Grunstra

John J Corrigan

Julie A Faison

Jacqueline B Wahl

A ceramic core for use in casting an article such as for example an airfoil, wherein the ceramic core has a pocket located at or near a region of the core that is otherwise associated with occurrence of a localized casting defect in the cast article. A covering is disposed on the core to cover the pocket and provide core outer surface features.

Ceramic casting core and method

A method of making a single crystal or columnar grain superalloy casting comprises casting a superalloy in a mold wherein at least one of the mold and optional core comprises an oxygen-bearing ceramic, directionally solidifying the superalloy to form a single crystal or columnar grain superalloy casting, and solution heat treating the superalloy casting. The heat treatment is conducted under an atmosphere including a carbon-bearing gas, such as a carbon monoxide and inert gas mixture, wherein the carbon-bearing gas is present in an effective amount to reduce loss of carbon from the casting during the heat treatment. The heat treatment can be conducted prior to removal of all of the mold and core, if present, such as, for example, when the cast mold is in the as-knocked out condition wherein residual mold and/or core material is present on the casting. Alternately, the heat treatment can be conducted after removal of the mold and core, if present.

Growing community of inventors

Spring Lake, MI, United States of America

Robert E Grunstra