cutting inconel

[teilhardo]

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to know if anyone has any experience cutting inconel or metals that can withstand the heat of kerosence combustion for a microturbine I plan to make. I was looking into the process for making commercial microturbine blades and it seems like most companies just get theirs investement casted. Problem is- how do you make a furnace that can melt inconel or other high temp alloys. Does anyone have any ideas on this subject.
Thanks,
Tei

[I.C.O.N.]

We cut a lot of nickel alloys around here.... ...I have melted tools in inconel but have never melted inconel.

[motordude]

I suggest the following:
Machine the molds (or machine blades directly in wax) for the blades and make waxpatterns, invest and burn them. Send the shells off to a foundry. The foundry will probably line your shells up with some others they have, waiting for the proper alloy and fill the shells. This will not cost much.

Making the molds and investing them etc. is enough of a challenge, so forget about melting yourself! You can get enough heat from an oxy/acetylene(propane) fired furnace to melt Inconel, but fuel is expensive. Induction furnaces are normally used.

Regards
John

[teilhardo]

Thanks,
I'll try and find a foundry in San Diego that melts Inconel.

-Tei