Abstract:
A die having a metallic block with a depression, the depression having at least one cross-sectional transition zone, at least one laser shock peened surface encompassing at least a portion of the zone, a region having deep compressive residual stresses imparted by laser shock peening (LSP) extending into the airfoil from the laser shock peened surface. The die has been found to be useful for cold rolling blanks such when the metallic block is a cold rolling die block. The die may be adapted for forming a gas turbine engine component, such as a compressor blade, having an airfoil such that the depression corresponds to the airfoil.
Abstract:
A laser shock processing method by which a light absorbing material is evaporated by irradiation of laser light and a shock is applied to a metallic workpiece by utilizing an increase in pressure due to the evaporation of the light absorbing material. In this method, the absorbing material is sprayed on the workpiece under the control of a coating spraying control unit while the thickness of a coating formed on the workpiece is simultaneously measured by a thickness gauge provided with a sensor. Thus, a coating of even thickness is formed on the workpiece. Thereby, evaporation of the coating can be uniformly generated by the irradiation of laser light after the formation of overlays. Further, a shock due to the evaporation of the coating can be uniformly applied to the workpiece. Moreover, the laser shock processing can be performed on a large area of the surface of the workpiece uniformly. Furthermore, uniform compressive stress can be imparted thereto. Therefore, the variation in fatigue strength in the processed area can be eliminated.
Abstract:
Gas turbine engine static component with a metallic panel section, either linear or curved, that is susceptible to cracks initiated by features on the component has an elongated laser shock peened region having deep compressive residual stresses imparted by laser shock peening (LSP) disposed between the feature and a portion of the panel section, which is to be protected from failure, such that the laser shock peened region diverts cracks that propagate from the feature away from the portion of the panel section. The laser shock peened region preferably extends through the component and is may be formed by simultaneously laser shock peening first and second laser shock peened surface areas to form the laser shock peened region.
Abstract:
A metallic article and method for producing such an article, having a metallic substrate, at least one metallic layer sprayed onto a laser shock peened surface area of the substrate, and a region having deep compressive residual stresses imparted by laser shock peening extending into the substrate from the laser shock peened surface. The metallic substrate and or layer may be made from an alloy such as a Cobalt or a Nickel based superalloy. The substrate may be made from Nickel Base forgings or Titanium base forgings. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a gas turbine engine rotor component such a disk and, more particularly, a turbine disk suitable for use in a hot section of a gas turbine engine. The invention may be used for new or refurbished parts to restore dimensions of the component and, in particular, radial dimensions.
Abstract:
A method for stress-relieving a flame-hardened component by vibrating the workpiece as it is being flame-hardened, and then vibrating the workpiece after it has been flame-hardened, measuring the workpiece to detect warpage, straightening the workpiece to remove the warpage, and then vibrating the workpiece to remove any stresses created by the straightening step.
Abstract:
Apparatus for improving properties of a solid material by providing shock waves therein. A laser oscillator 10a provides a plurality of pulses 112 of coherent radiation. The leading edge of each pulse is sharpened either by a metal foil 18 or by phase conjugation reflection means 18a, 18e including a stimulated Brillouin scattering cell 18d,18e and optionally a Faraday isolator 18b. Each pulse is directed onto an amplifier 123 comprising first and second laser amplifier rods 23a,23b in series. At least a major portion of the radiation 112 amplified by the first amplifier rod 23a is directed to the second amplifier rod 23b, where it is amplified and then directed to a surface of the solid material. Substantially uniform spatial amplitude is achieved in the radiation 112 in at least one of these ways: A pair of flashlamps 70,71 are included with each laser amplifier rod 23a,23b for pumping the rod; the axis of each flashlamp 70,71 and the axis of the first rod 23a are substantially parallel to each other and substantially in the same (first) plane; and a (second) plane containing the axis of the second rod 23b and the parallel axes of its associated flashlamps 70,71 is substantially perpendicular to the first plane; and/or the oscillator 10c provides a beam of unpolarized coherent radiation 12T in which the spatial amplitude pattern of each succeeding pulse is substantially a mirror image of the pattern in the pulse that preceded it, or is rotated about its axis by a predetermined smaller angle from the pattern in the pulse that preceded it.
Abstract:
A laser peening apparatus and method for peening a workpiece utilizing a laser beam is described. The system includes a foil aligned with a surface of the workpiece to be peened and lasing the aligned foil surface. The foil absorbs energy from the beam and a portion of the foil vaporizes, which creates a hot plasma within the foil. The plasma creates a shock wave which passes through the foil and peens the workpiece surface.
Abstract:
A workable, boron-containing, stainless steel alloy and an article formed therefrom are disclosed together with a process for manufacturing same. The alloy consists essentially of, in weight percent, about______________________________________ w/o ______________________________________ Carbon 0.10 max. Manganese 2.00 max. Silicon 1.00 max. Phosphorus 0.045 max. Sulfur 0.010 max. Chromium 16.00-22.00 Nickel 10.00-15.00 Molybdenum 0-3.0 Boron 0.2-2.0 Nitrogen 0.075 max. ______________________________________ and the balance consisting essentially of iron. The as-worked alloy in accordance with the invention is characterized by having a boride particle areal density per weight percent boron (A.sub.N) defined by the relationshipA.sub.N .gtoreq.58,080-18,130 (%B).The as-worked alloy of the invention is further characterized by having a Charpy V-notch impact strength (CVN) defined by the relationshipCVN.gtoreq.85.917 x e.sup.-1.20297(%B).
Abstract:
A process for improving the swelling resistance of a titanium-modified austenitic stainless steel that involves a combination of rapid solidification and dynamic compaction techniques.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for accomplishing stress relief in fabricated structures by application of dynamic loading induced by vibration to relieve residual stresses sufficiently to achieve dimensional stability. Maximum dynamic loading of the structure by use of an accelerometer attached to the structure is obtained by scanning a range of vibration frequencies to arrive at maximum output of the accelerometer corresponding to the maximum in the dynamically applied loading and tuning the vibration to a frequency corresponding to the peak in the acceleration curve.