Patent ID: 6544002
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: F01D,F04D,F05D,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of producing an aircraft engine blade, comprising an airfoil portion and a dovetail portion, and having at least one pocket in the airfoil portion, comprising the steps of:providing an aircraft engine fan blade having at least one pocket in the airfoil portion; grit blasting a surface of the airfoil portion having at least one blade pocket with a preselected type of grit, at a preselected size and at a preselected pressure to effect a uniform surface finish; washing the surface with a solvent that is miscible in water and has a volatility sufficient to accelerate the removal of liquid from the surface without leaving a stain; drying the surface by removing the solvent; immersing the airfoil portion of the blade in an alkaline etch bath while agitating the etch bath to further effect a uniform surface finish; removing the airfoil portion of the blade from the bath without allowing the airfoil portion of the blade to dry; neutralizing the alkaline solution on the surface of the airfoil portion of the blade; washing the surface with a solvent; drying the surface wherein the solvent is removed from the surface of the airfoil portion of the blade without forming stains; applying a primer to the at least one pocket of the airfoil portion of the blade; curing the primer; injecting a polymeric resin into the at least one pocket; and curing the resin.