A Perspective on Materials, Technology and Property Data Base Development for Aero Gas Turbine Discs

Abstract

Modern aero engine concepts set very high technology standards for the component design, as they operate in an increasingly hostile thermo-mechanical environment. With rapid advancement in material and manufacturing processes there is a constant demand to upgrade mechanical technologies and design analysis methods. The design complexity of aero engines can be best appreciated by its demands to confirm to stringent design and operational specifications with minimum weight. The complexity of loads and constraints on weight and space has led to search of new materials and mechanical technologies which will play a key role in design of discs in future. The paper presents a perspective on integrated approach to material selection, current material & structural technologies and challenges of material property data base for application to gas turbine engines, with specific focus on rotating discs