Of key importance in the processing of the CMSX samples is striking a balance between the substrate meltback and the net columnar to equiaxed grain growth ratio. If the meltback region is too shallow, delamination of the added material from the base substrate could occur. If the meltback region is too deep it increases the likelihood that the net growth of columnar grains (height of new columnar growth- height of meltback) will be less than the height of the equiaxed region, keeping a damaged airfoil in an unusable state.