2 ms·
I think industry is moving to CMC materials for first stage blades, because nickel superalloys hit the limit of performance. Not sure if those can be 3D printed
by d_silin 6y ago
I think industry is moving to CMC materials for first stage blades, because nickel superalloys hit the limit of performance. Not sure if those can be 3D printed reliably.
- systemvoltage 6y agoThat's insane. During my tenure in the industry, we had ceramic coatings on the first stage. We were hitting some 1250 C temperatures with these things and they were barely holding up. There was a huge push for efficiency in that era and we would shorten the life of the blades in favor of efficiency, there would be regular inspections and coatings were such a pain in the ass.
- yodelshady 6y agoA lecturer and later colleague of mine did CMC blade research as a postgraduate. Taught some of it to me as an undergraduate, alas I forget most of it. He's retiring now. Not sure what to make of that. I do hope the idea finally has its day.