CompositesWorld
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41 CompositesWorld.com NEWS N E W S N S N E W S E N W S W Aeroengine CMCs NASA's (Washington, DC, US) eforts to mature CMC applications include a SiC/ SiC combustor liner, SiC/SiC HP turbine vane, and an Ox/Ox exhaust nozzle through its Environmentally Respon- sible Aviation (ERA) project. Tis six-year project's Phase II culminates in 2015 with Integrated Technology Demonstrations (ITD) of downselected technologies to reach technology readiness level (TRL) 6. Advanced EBCs tailored for the combustor and vane are in development for surface temperatures to 1482°C, while the exhaust nozzle is targeted for service at 816°C. In summer 2014, Boeing successfully ground- and fight-tested its Ox/Ox exhaust nozzle, developed through the CLEEN program. Results showed better thermal performance than Inconel at a weight 20% less than titanium, noise performance the same or better than metal and continuous operation at 816°C. Rated at TRL 7, a second design cycle is reportedly slated for 2015 with partners Rolls-Royce, Orbital ATK (Dulles, VA, US), American Airlines (Fort Worth, TX, US) and Albany Engineered Composites (AEC, Rochester, NH, US). AEC, which worked with Boeing to develop the CLEEN nozzle's CMC substrate, is additionally exploring the ability to combine CMC and 3D woven composite technology. AEC's VP of research and technology Brian Cofenberry sees the potential for these combined technologies to improve toughness. Also, because of the automa- tion already associated with 3D compos- ites, the fabrication processes might also become highly scalable. In 2014, Composites Horizons (Covina, CA, US) added a 3,252m 2 CMC-dedi- cated facility as well as a new autoclave, sintering ovens and CNC equipment after receiving the production contract for nozzle components in GE's Passport 20 engine, which will power Bombar- dier 7000 and 8000 ultra-long range business jets. According to GE director of Bombardier programs Judd Tressler, Ox/ Ox CMC replaces what would have been graphite/epoxy in the four-piece panel that encloses the engine core and the nine-piece mixer (see Fig. 4, p. 40). Saving roughly 20 kg in the mixer alone, GE selected Ox/Ox for the Passport 20 in 2010 SGS has designed specifc cutting tool technologies that combine substrate, geometry, edge preparation and coating to withstand the complex conditions of Composite applications requiring minimal fber breakout and delamination. Greater Effciency www.sgstool.com 330-686-5700 Manufactured in the USA to help reduce engine weight. As CMCs move outward and forward, they'll continue to be pushed toward higher operating pressure ratios in the hot zone. Slated objectives include next- generation turbine disk materials, an 820°C-capable compressor and 1,650°C turbine blades/vanes. But having pierced the veil, CMCs are already closing in on these targets. Te challenge now will be to extend thermomechanical performance while at the same time enhancing manufacturing robustness and reducing per-unit cost. CW senior editor Ginger Gardiner has an engineering/materials back- ground and has more than 20 years in the composites industry. ginger@compositesworld.com