Repair material preform

Abstract

A structural element and method for repairing a damaged portion of a metal component utilizes a preform configured to engage with the metal component and receive a repair material. The preform may be made of a material having a first melting point, and the repair material may be made of a material having a second melting point that is lower than the first melting point. The preform may be a mold configured to reconstruct the shape of the damaged portion of the metal component. The repair material may include a first material and an additive material, such as boron. The repair material may have a melting point that is approximately 40 degrees Fahrenheit lower than the melting point of the metal component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A structural element for repairing a metal component comprising:
 a preform configured to receive repair material and repair a damaged portion of the metal component, wherein the metal component melts at a first temperature and the repair material melts at a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature, and wherein the preform has at least one of a preform wear resistance and a preform oxidation resistance that is greater than at least one of a repair material wear resistance and a repair material oxidation resistance of the repair material.   
     
     
         2 . The structural element of  claim 1 , wherein the repair material comprises an additive material. 
     
     
         3 . The structural element of  claim 1 , wherein the preform comprises a mold configured to reconstruct a shape of the damaged portion of the metal component. 
     
     
         4 . The structural element of  claim 1 , wherein the preform comprises an alloy including cobalt or nickel. 
     
     
         5 . The structural element of  claim 2 , wherein the repair material comprises a cobalt- or nickel-boron composition. 
     
     
         6 . The structural element of  claim 1 , wherein the repair material has a melting point that is approximately 40 degrees Fahrenheit lower than a melting point of the metal component.