The Development of Single Crystal Superalloy Turbine Blades

Abstract

Single crystal superalloy turbine blades have recently entered production for JTSD commercial engine applications.This significant technical advance was made possible by the development of an alloy with improved properties and the development of a production casting process.The absence of grain boundary strengthening elements provided considerable alloying and heat treatment flexibility that resulted in single crystal Alloy 454 with an outstanding balance of properties.Major improvements in temperature gradients, the use of helical grain selectors, and the incorporation of these advances into existing vacuum furnaces have led to the rapid development of a production casting capability.