Repair of aircraft engine parts

Aircraft engine components are subjected to extreme conditions, with rotational speeds that can exceed 30 000 rpm and particularly high reliability requirements. The aim is to extend the service life of high-value parts while reducing the costs and lead times associated with replacing them.

IREPA LASER has developed a powder-based laser DED repair solution suited to sensitive alloys such as titanium- and nickel-based alloys. Full control of the process chain (manufacturing parameters, deposition strategies, quality control and development of specific nozzles) made it possible to qualify and then industrialise the repair for several aerospace part references

Repairing these components requires very fine control of metallurgical phenomena in order to guarantee freedom from defects and mechanical strength in service. The solutions developed by IREPA LASER ensure high process repeatability and reproducibility in an environment subject to the regulatory requirements of the aerospace sector.

More than 1500 parts have already been repaired and returned to service, some with several validated repair cycles. The solution reduces costs by up to a factor of 8 compared with a new part, while significantly shortening procurement and maintenance lead times.