[marktwain]

Sintered materials ( this is essentially a sintering process) can be very strong.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

I absolutely agree, but it’s hard to believe stronger than a forging. It may be that blades of adequate strength and durability could be formed or part-formed this new way and *then* forged and could save on machining time. That’s IMO.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

*This* I find equally if not more interesting.

“The researchers also found that the performance of the superalloy correlated with predictions generated from a computer model that was designed to predict how particular combinations of elements would conduct thermal energy. Those predictions suggest that future computer models might be able to help predict which combinations of elements are likely to result in new and useful superalloys.”

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

*This* I find equally if not more interesting.

“The researchers also found that the performance of the superalloy correlated with predictions generated from a computer model that was designed to predict how particular combinations of elements would conduct thermal energy. Those predictions suggest that future computer models might be able to help predict which combinations of elements are likely to result in new and useful superalloys.”

[ABN 505]

I worked on sintering furnaces for years , it's an amazing process for difficult to machine parts like small gears and vanes involving powdered metal , powerful presses and high temps, miss those days.