Turbine Blade Metallurgy

Microstructural Recovery

oven

The recovery heat treatment process involves applying the appropriate heat treatment cycle which heats the components above the gamma prime solvus temperature for a specific soak period followed by an appropriate cooling cycle. 

This is then followed by an appropriate ageing heat treatment cycle to precipitate the particles to the desired morphology, thereby returning the microstructure of the component to the `as-new’ condition.

microstructure diagram
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Component Repair

The Rolls Wood Group Component Repair Division was established in November 1992 to provide a dedicated component repair service for the Rolls Wood Group engine Projects. The facility provides an in-house capability for over 90% of the repair processes required for the Rolls-Royce RB211, Avon, Olympus and 501 gas generators.

Before & after HP NGV's

The Component Repair Division operates from 2 site locations in Aberdeen, Scotland (Wellheads and Kirkhill) and is designed around a 'cellular production' concept, with 3 distinct production zones established to enhance the quality and turn-times of the components being processed.

The Wellheads site incorporates approximately 22,000 sq feet of floor space and the Kirkhill site covers a space of 14,000 sq feet.

The Repair Division Capabilities are as follows:

  • Thermal Spray Systems:
    HVOF Sulzer Metco DJ 2600/2700
    Plasma - F4 and F4 90 Deg
    Flame - 6P11 Abradables.
  • Hot End Coatings:
    Sermaloy J
  • Machining:
    Vertical Boring, Turning, Surface Grinding, Milling, Drilling, Creep Feed Grinding and Salvage Fitting.
  • Protective (Paint) Coatings:
    SermeTel W, Teflon, Polymide, Epoxy Resin, LHRSE, HHRSE & Dense Pack.
  • Inspection:
    Fluorescent Dye Penetrant, Dimensional, Visual and Ultrasonic turbine blade wall thickness inspections.
  • Calibration Department
  • Welding and Brazing:
    TIG Welding, Arc Welding, Acetylene Gas Welding, Torch Brazing, Resistance Welding Spot, Seam & Circumferential & Dot riveting.
  • The Laboratory supplies a comprehensive quality control service for all production activities.
  • Metal Forming:
    Polishing, Hand Grinding and Fettling, Hydraulic Presses and Shears, Belt Sanding & Superpolishing.
  • Chemical Treatment:
    Chromate Conversion Coatings. Ferric Chloride etch, Nitric Acid Stripping of Braze & Abradables, Stripping of Platinum Aluminising and Sermaloy J, HVOF, Plasma & flame spray coating.
  • Heat Treatment:
    Degussa, Vacuum and Carbolite Furnaces perform Solution, Brazing,  Ageing and Diffusion Heat Treatments and the Curing of Protective Coatings.
  • Plating:
    Selective Plating Process - Silver, Copper 7 Nickel Cobalt.