The eddy-current and ultrasonic investigations of the nickel-base superalloy the gas turbine engine blades after exploitation

Abstract

The work carried out microstructural, eddy-current and ultrasonic studies of the material of spent blades of gas turbine engines made of nickel-base superalloy. To determine the degree of damage to the material of the spent blades, studies of the microstructure were carried out on a scanning electron microscope. It was found that γ' coagulation occurred in some specimens, which corresponds to overheated material. Acoustic studies of the material were carried out using the ultrasonic pulse echo method. Comparative analysis showed that in such specimens there is a significant decrease in the velocity of propagation and attenuation of longitudinal ultrasonic waves. It is found that the readings of the eddy-current flaw detector in overheated specimens differ more than twice in comparison with non-overheated specimens. This fact can be used for operational non-destructive testing of the actual state of the metal structure by the eddy current method with the aim of further safe operation of gas turbine engines.