US Patent 7754035 Preferential hardening of single crystal blades

A method for improving the strength, creep and failure resistance of a single crystal component, such as a turbine engine component, is provided. The method comprises the steps of forming a component, such as a turbine engine component, having a single crystal microstructure with a plurality of γ′ cuboids forming a limited amount of oriented platens in a particular direction prior to the component being placed into service to delay coalescence of the platens relative to the applied load.