Repair of a Nickel Alloy First Stage Shroud for the Aerospace Industry

A Component Repair Management customer asked them to handle the complex repair of nickel alloy first stage shrouds for an aerospace application. Among the four basic elements of a turbine assembly, shrouds are critical components for these high performance engines. To perform this inner vane shroud repair, Component Repair fabricated a replacement ring using electrical discharge machining, as well as conventional machining. Although Component Repair’s certified staff brazed the replacement rings into place, they are also highly competent welders, should a repair require the process. Secondary to the initial repair, the shrouds were then deburred and ultrasonically cleaned; the finish was left as cast and did not call for additional coating. All work was done to tightest tolerances of ±0.004" while meeting customer specifications, Federal Aviation Administration regulations, and airworthiness directives. Finally, fluorescent penetrant inspection was used to confirm the lack of defects on these Pratt & Whitney JT/JFTD12 turbine engine first stage shrouds. Component Repair Management repairs 10 to 20 of these nickel alloy first stage shrouds a month in only three to four weeks, for final delivery to the customer’s dock.