SEDL / STP / STP979-EB / STP29127S

The Role of Electron Microscopy in Gas Turbine Materials Development

Sprague, RA
Manager, Engineering Materials and Technology Laboratories, Aircraft Engine Business Group, General Electric Company, Lynn, MA

Smashey, RW
Manager, Laboratory Service Technology, Aircraft Engine Business Group, General Electric Company, Cincinnati, OH

Pages: 18    Published: Jan 1988

Download this paper for $25 PDF (528K)          View License Agreement
Abstract

Future gas turbine engines will require improved materials that cost less and overcome current design limitations without compromising product performance and reliability.

Advanced materials R&D emphasis has changed to address the challenges of new materials, including nonmetals, such as carbon/carbon, composites, and ceramics. Process redirection now focuses upon defect minimization and quicker reduction to practice (i.e. cost reduction and enhanced design property minimums. These objectives will also apply to 21st century power plants.

These changes require increased understanding of microstructural and property relationships which are being defined with the assistance of modern electron microscopy techniques. Examples of the application of some of these techniques to the development of new aircraft engine materials and processes are presented.