Will Pigs Fly before Ceramics Do

摘要

The objective of the IDA study was to assess the feasibility of using current technology ceramic rotating components in an advanced turbofan engine core, to determine the associated risks of doing so, and to identify and recommend materials development activities which would best address those risks. Both monolithic and ceramic matrix composites (CMC) materials were considered, and the study also took into consideration the use of ceramics in adjoining static components. The scope of this study included fact-finding discussions with knowledgeable personnel from the Military Services, NASA, FAA, DOE, U.S. aeropropulsion and power turbine companies, advanced (ceramic) materials companies, and universities on advanced turbine engine cycle concepts, manufacturing processes, and the current general state of acceptance of ceramics in turbine engines. An IDA-developed technology maturation assessment methodology was applied to the ceramics data where appropriate.