APPLICATION OF UNCOOLED CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE POWER TURBINE BLADES FOR PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT OF ADVANCED TURBOSHAFT ENGINES

As the power density of advanced turboshaft engines increases, the need for new materials that are capable of higher operating temperatures, such as ceramic matrix composites (CMC), is critical for turbine hot-section static and rotating components. Such advanced materials have significantly increased temperature capability vs. conventional superalloy metallic blades and enable longer life, reduced emissions, growth margin, reduced weight and increased performance. This paper describes a cooperative program funded by the Army’s Aviation Applied Technology Directorate and General Electric-Aviation to design, develop and fabricate CMC Power Turbine (PT) airfoils for application in advanced turboshaft engines such as GE-Aviation’s Advanced Affordable Turbine Engine (AATE). During the initial stages of this program, trial dovetail, blade and witness panel coupons are fabricated and tested. In the final stages of the program, engine configuration PT blades are fabricated and subjected to overspeed, HCF, impact and rub validation testing.