Qualification of Compressor Impeller for Aero-Engine Application

Abstract

This paper presents the approach for qualification of indigenously developed compressor impeller for aero engine application. Indigenisation is understood to be the most important tool for effective technical empowerment of a developing nation. Indigenisation philosophy is adopted by several countries in various fields such as power, infrastructure, aerospace, military equipments and etc. Indigenous development fills the technical, financial and time frame gap between imports and ab-initio design and development. Hence, for a healthy technical growth of any developing nation, Indigenous development activities should go along with ab-initio design activities. Indigenous development has become an integral process of activities of Defence sectors due to its potential benefits. Indian defence imports stands at staggering 65 % of the total defence acquisition. In order to make the best use of indigenization opportunities in the defence sector, conservative figures would suggest an amount more than 100,000 crores. This gives an indication of the potential and benefits of indigenous development in defence sectors.
 In this paper a methodology for indigenous development of a military turboshaft engine compressor impeller is discussed. This activity has enabled uninterrupted supply of the component and a substantial Foreign Exchange savings. This paper specifies the various tests conducted over the forging. It also brings out the results of cyclic spin test on the component for 22500 cycles as life substantiation, 15% and 22% over speed test as structural integrity substantiation and 150 hours type test on engine for quality and assembly substantiation.
 This indigenous development procedure described in this paper can be readily extended to suitable critical aero engine component.