Methods of forming blades and method for rendering a blade resistant to erosion

摘要

Methods of forming a blade and rendering a blade resistant to erosion includes positioning a backing plate(s) or elongated backing plate(s) adjacent at least one side of a forward face of a leading edge surface of the blade. The methods include depositing an erosion resistant material in a plurality of layers by fusion bonding the erosion resistant material to the forward face of the leading edge surface of the blade. The backing plates providing a template or guide for depositing the plurality of layers of erosion resistant material. The plurality of layers of erosion resistant material form an erosion shield and a leading edge of the blade. Methods include removing the backing plate.

主权项

1. A method of forming a blade comprising:
positioning a backing plate adjacent at least one side of a forward face of a leading edge surface of the blade, wherein the backing plate extends past the leading edge surface to provide a mold to shape a leading edge of the blade into a final configuration; depositing an erosion resistant material in a plurality of layers by fusion bonding the erosion resistant material to the forward face of the leading edge surface, wherein the plurality of layers of erosion resistant material form an erosion shield, the leading edge of the blade, and a diffusion layer between the backing plate and the erosion resistant material; and removing the backing plate, wherein the erosion shield is substantially free of any diffusion layer induced by the backing plate; wherein the positioning includes positioning the backing plate at a location that allows formation of the diffusion layer in a location capable of being removed.