At Walbar Peabody, we get a tad excited about speed, safety, and quality. After all, these are central to running an effective maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility, especially one in the aerospace industry. We shared our core competencies in our other article, offering a closer look at our foundational repair and manufacturing techniques.

We also specialize in several services and quality assurance areas, such as original equipment diffusion coating and vacuum brazing for engine manufacturers and sub-tier suppliers. Our engineers have expertise in over 1,500 OEM- and MRO-approved processes with standard price list repairs for blades and vanes, carriers, gear-shaft assembly, and various accessories.

But what does this all look like behind the scenes? Take a deep dive into our specialized services.

Specialized Services

Walbar Peabody is fortunate to have a highly skilled team with various backgrounds in engineering and quality control. This allows us to offer more advanced or niche processes requiring specific expertise. These services focus on precision restoration, surface treatment, and material conditioning to meet strict industry and manufacturer standards.

Fluoride Ion Cleaning

Hot section engine components take regular damage due to oxidation, hot corrosion, fatigue, and more. Fluoride Ion Cleaning (FIC) is the process of removing metallic oxides from metal alloys for nickel and cobalt-based airfoil components, preparing them for advanced braze repairs. This technology can even remove oxides present on surfaces and fill the tiniest of cracks! 

FIC is crucial because the filler metal used during brazing won’t stick to oxides, which could lead to weak joints. Learn more about what we call the “magical” process.

Plating

Walbar Peabody specializes in single-phase platinum-modified aluminide coatings for nickel-based alloys. Platinum is applied via electrolytic plating, and aluminizing is done by Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). We perform work and are OEM-approved to comply with PW and GE coating specifications (CPW550 & CPW633, F50TF59 Class C, respectively).

Brazing

Our advanced braze techniques focus on nickel and cobalt-based alloys, and we even have experts onsite who specialize in the brazing of details and wide-gap braze repairs (compliant with CEAE ADH, P&WC, and limited Turbofix II specs). Walbar Peabody’s facility features a wide range of furnaces that enable broad brazing capabilities, such as vacuum and controlled atmosphere furnace brazing, all of which comply with AMS 2675 while also complying with additional customer/OEM specifications as applicable (GE Aerospace CC01 per P9TF1; P10TF1; M50T1; ANSI/AWS C3.6; ANSI/AWS C3.7; S-405).

Advanced Stripping

We also conduct chemical stripping operations to remove surface protective coatings, such as diffused aluminide, enabling high-quality weld or braze repairs on nickel or cobalt-based alloys. Thanks to our technology and expertise, we comply with NADCAP AC7109/4 Rev B and additional customer specifications as needed (IAW SPOP 301).

Heat Treating

Using our wide array of furnaces (we have nine!), we are well-equipped to perform heat treatment for brazing (nickel and cobalt-based alloys complying with AMS2774, NADCAP AC7102/1, and customer specifications), vacuum heat treating for commercial repairs, and specific customer requirements, such as GEAE-U10, NADCAP AC7102/S, and AC7102/1. Get a breakdown of our intriguing coating furnaces and how they work.

Nondestructive Testing

To perform Nondestructive Testing (NDT), we leverage inspection techniques such as onsite Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (PFI), Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI), and Radiographic Inspection (X-ray). These techniques allow us to identify defects without compromising component integrity. We comply with NADCAP—AC7114A Rev C, AC7114/1 Rev B, and OEM requirements (GEAE-S-U10, Pratt & Whitney S-U2).

Coatings

Walbar Peabody also performs many different coating operations, complying with a broad range of requirements, including:

  • Chemical Vapor Deposition, complying with NADCAP AC7109/3 Rev B
  • Pack Process-Above Pack, complying with NADCAP AC7109/3
  • Pack Process-In Pack, complying with NADCAP AC7109/3
  • Slurry Process-Spray, complying with NADCAP AC7109/3

In addition to NADCAP standards, our coating processes comply with many OEM standards, such as P&WC CPW-550, -537, -633; PWA77, PW SPOP 70-46-00 Plasma Spray, GEAE AP 70-49-00 Thermal Coatings, GE F50TF37 CL-B, GE F50TF68 CL-A & B, GE F50TF59 CL-C.

The hotter an aircraft engine, the more efficient it runs. However, this wears down jet engine components. Aluminide coatings are essential for combating oxidation caused by these extreme temperatures and pressures.

Metallurgical Analysis

We also have an onsite metallurgical analysis laboratory, where we perform in-depth examinations of material composition and microstructure to ensure compliance with aerospace standards and enhance performance. Our lab complies with NADCAP AC7109/5 and is MCL and CCL-certified, and our experts can conduct the following analyses: 

  • Coating composition
  • Metallographic analysis
  • Oxidation analysis
  • Metallographic thickness testing
  • Necessary specimen preparation to perform all tests

Quality First, Always

Of course, quality is at the forefront of everything we do, which is why Walbar Peabody holds NADCAP Gold Standard certifications across our various specialized operations. We ensure compliance with OEM specifications and industry standards. With experts from wide-ranging backgrounds who are always eager to learn the next technology and skill, we adhere to our commitment to continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.

Through our specialized services, we deliver targeted, high-precision treatments. Together with our dedication to exceptional customer experience, Walbar Peabody strives to stand out and promote advancement in the aerospace component repair and maintenance field.

Reach out today to learn how we can support your aircraft with our specialties and technology.