Patent ID: 7560014

Claim:
A method of electroplating a high temperature coating onto an airfoil, comprising: providing a shield having a recess defining one or more walls conforming to the shape of at least a portion of a pressure side and a suction side of the airfoil to be electroplated, the recess defining a clearance gap of the airfoil of about 0.10to about 0.30 inches (2.54-7.62 mm); introducing the portions of the pressure side and the suction side of the airfoil to be electroplated into the recess of the shield to form the defined clearance gap of about 0.10 to about 0.30 inches (2.54-7.62mm) between the shield and the portions of the pressure side and the suction side of the airfoil to be electroplated; attaching and anode and cathode to the airfoil; submerging at least the shield and the portions of the pressure side and the suction side of the airfoil to be electroplated into an electroplating tank containing an electrolyte; and electroplating a coating of a high temperature resistant metal onto the portions of the pressure side and the suction side of the airfoil to be electroplated to a predetermined minimum thickness.