Patent ID: 7302990
Filing Date: 2007-12-04
Classification: B22C,B33Y,C04B,C23C,F05B

Abstract:
1. A method of forming at least one concavity of a selected size and shape within a surface of an internal passageway of a metallic component, comprising the following steps: (a) depositing a ceramic-based material by a direct-write technique onto a ceramic core which is suitable for forming the internal passageway during a casting process to form the metallic component, wherein the ceramic-based material is deposited as a positive feature in a shape which, as cured, is inverse to the shape of the concavity; (b) heat-treating the ceramic-based material deposited in step (a); (c) forming the metallic component by a casting process in which the ceramic core is incorporated into the casting, in a position selected as a desired position for the internal passageway; and then (d) removing the ceramic core from the metal component after the casting process is complete, thereby forming the internal passageway, with the concavity contained within the surface of the passageway, said concavity formed by removal of the positive feature of the ceramic-based material.