Abrasive surface coating process for superalloys

摘要

A combination of sintering, plasma arc spraying, hot isostatic pressing and chemical milling is used to form an abrasive surface on an article. Alumina coated silicon carbide particulates are clad with nickel and sinter bonded to the surface of a superalloy turbine blade tip. An impermeable layer of plasma arc sprayed superalloy matrix is deposited over the particulates and then has its inherent voids eliminated by hot isostatic pressing. The abrasive material so formed on the surface is then machined to expose the particulates. Next, a portion of the matrix is removed so that the machined particulates project into space and are thus best enabled to interact with abradable ceramic air seals in a gas turbine engine. The ceramic particulates are sized so they are larger than the finished thickness of the abrasive and they have small aspect ratios. Thus, a high density spacing can be achieved while at the same time it is insured that matrix adequately surrounds the particles and holds them in place during use.