Ceramic Cores For Turbine Blades

These ceramic cores are high pressure.

Ceramic cores for turbine blades.

Because of their high chemical stability and good mechanical properties at high temperatures alumina based ceramic cores are commonly used in specific fields 1 2 3. Gas turbine engines used in aerospace applications are one of the most complex systems to design develop and operate. Traditionally fabrication of the ceramic cores involves time consuming procedures and low processing flexibility. The hollow geometry in the castings is produced during the investment casting process by using a suitable ceramic core made from silica or alumina based mixes.

Ceramic cores are utilised for shaping internal cooling canals in the process of turbine blade casting which positively influences the turbine engine efficiency. The main advantage of cmcs over conventional superalloys is their light weight and high temperature capability. Morgan advanced materials certech has 45 years experience in the design and production of complex ceramic cores and wax patterns for challenging industrial casting applications all over the world. Highlight issues related to tooling development for ceramic cores used in investment cast turbine blade vane components.

Keywords ceramic core injection moulding dies cad edm cmm inspection. Currently directional column and single crystal hollow turbine blades for aero engines use ceramic cores with high performance e g silica alumina. Ceramic cores are used during the investment casting process to produce those internal passages. Engineering ceramics can be made in a wide range of sizes and shapes the turbine blades shown here are an example of the complex shapes that can now be achieved with the advanced fabrication methods available to the manufacturer these blades have been manufactured to the high material and dimensional specifications demanded by the aerospace industry.

To meet those goals new turbine blade designs are needed that have complex internal cooling passages that allow the blades to withstand the higher operating temperatures required for improved performance. Our cores are a critical component in the manufacture of complex castings for aircraft engine turbine blades vanes and associated cast components.