Methods for Repairing a Workpiece

Abstract

A method for repairing a workpiece includes the steps of providing an unstripped, coated workpiece comprising a surface having a localized damage site; masking the workpiece about the localized damage site; generating a microplasma stream; and applying a first powdered material to the localized damage site using the microplasma stream; and applying a second powdered material to the workpiece surface using the microplasma stream. Another method for repairing a workpiece includes the steps of providing an unstripped, coated workpiece comprising a surface having a localized damage site; generating a microplasma stream; applying without a maskant a powdered metal alloy to the damage site using the microplasma stream; and dimensionally restoring the workpiece.

1 . A method for repairing a workpiece, comprising:
 providing an unstripped, coated workpiece comprising a surface having a localized damage site;   generating a microplasma stream;   applying without a maskant a powdered metal alloy to said localized damage site using said microplasma stream; and   dimensionally restoring said workpiece.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said powdered metal alloy is selected from the group consisting of nickel-aluminum, nickel-chromium, nickel chromium-aluminum, molybdenum and aluminum-silicon. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said powdered metal alloy is nickel-chrome-chromium carbide. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said workpiece is selected from the group consisting of fans, compressors, turbine casings, seals, plates, rings. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said workpiece is a gas turbine engine component. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said workpiece is a combustion chamber component. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said localized damage site comprises a spot or a chip.