Method for repairing superralloy castings using a metallurgically bonded tapered plug

摘要

A method of repairing cracks, imperfections, and the like in a cast article (10). A frusto-conical aperture (22) is created in the article (10) in the location of the crack or imperfection. A mating tapered plug (42) is prepared such that the tapered plug can fit into the aperture so that the sloped side walls (54) of the tapered plug evenly and unilaterally rest on frusto-conical sides of the aperture. The tapered plug (42) is disposed into the aperture (22), and bonding material is applied between the surfaces of the tapered plug (42) and the aperture (22), before or after insertion of the tapered plug (42) into the aperture (22). The article (10) is thereafter heated such that the bonding material joins the surfaces of the tapered plug (42) and the aperture (22). The outer end (50) of the tapered plug thereafter is polished so that such outer end is approximately level with the article's (10) outer side in a refinement of the invention, the plug member (42) may be pushed into the aperture (22) such that a controlled interference fit is produced.