Analysis of the Feasibility to Investigate Condition of Gas Turbine Vanes by Means of the Radiographic Method

摘要

Operation of avionic turbine engines is always associated with possibility of various defects that may happen to turbine components, in particular to its vanes. The basic examination method intended to assess condition of the turbine vanes is the metallography, a destructive testing technology. The paper deals with the non-destructive test method of X-ray computer tomography (CT) that is chiefly used in medicine but is also suitable to diagnose how far the process of turbine vanes wear and tear is advanced. The computer tomography (CT) is the transmission diagnostic technique that makes it possible to obtain images of various layers within the investigated object. Application areas of this technique include also the quality control in manufacturing of technical facilities. The study presents results of assessments for gas turbine vanes with the use of the X-ray computer tomography after a specific period of the turbine operation. It was found out that the radiographic method, owing to availability of 3D images (including also internal defects) makes it possible to detect types of defects, their sizes and locations.