Fabrication Of Hybrid Gas Turbine Disk Material System By Additive Manufacturing Project

In an exciting new technology, additive manufacturing (AM), materials are added layer-by-layer, or bead-by-bead, which enables a complex structure to be built up directly with minimal postprocessing machining. AM offers the potential to be revolutionary for GRC hybrid disk concept as it: i) bypasses joining through direct deposition or "building" of the PX bore alloy on a SX rim and ii) circumvents interface heating issues that may cause microstructural degradation during welding. Our objective is to demonstrate the feasibility of the high payoff AM hydrid disk concept described through test specimens built up using electron beam melting (EBM).

The proposed effort is clearly aligned with the Fundamental Aeronautics Fixed Wing Project N+3 goals for significant improvements in energy efficiency and environmental compatibility necessary for the sustained growth of commercial aviation. The revolutionary innovation, if realized, has the potential to fundamentally change the methodology to manufacture blisks, and to cross-cut both aeronautic and space applications. Removing some of the manufacturing constraints may offer possibilities for better and new alloy designs.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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