CRITICAL COMPONENTS

摘要

Using x-ray images to non-destructively test engine turbine blades has been proven to be an essential tool. Most would agree that manufacturing a modern jet engine is a challenging task. These machines are constantly evolving, and are required to be more fuel efficient, lighter in weight and more powerful, while becoming quieter and cleaner for the environment. This is an extremely difficult combination to achieve. A critical part at the heart of these amazing inventions is the high-pressure turbine blade (HPT). These are specially cast, nickel-based superalloy parts designed to operate in an environment hotter than their own melting temperature. These parts are located in the most hostile area of an aircraft engine, and it is not any easier for the surrounding blades in the low-pressure and compressor areas. Special manufacturing techniques such as directional solidification and single crystal production methods (combined with sophisticated cooling designs, turbulators and coatings) enable these parts to survive in this brutal environment, all the while spinning at tens of thousands of revolutions per minute.