Topic: Implementation of Advanced Ceramics and Composites for High Energy Efficiency and Clean Emission Turbine Engines

ABSTRACT

Titanium aluminides have attracted significant attention since materials properties have been strongly improved over the last years, and engineers have become more familiar to design with a material that shows limited ductility and damage tolerance. Part of the reason of slow introduction into service is the complexity of materials processing which is attributed to a strong dependency of component properties on alloy chemistry and microstructure. Nevertheless, the materials and engineering community is making progress towards materials implementation even in aero engines (see figure).

Among others, the lecture will provide an overview of recent progress in the understanding of processing-related fluctuations in chemical composition and their effects on the mechanical properties of gamma titanium aluminides. It will highlight recent work on high niobium containing alloys that are relatively easy to process. Moreover, recent results on the retained strength of this class of modern alloys and materials behavior after impact will be highlighted. Also, latest findings regarding mechanical and chemical surface treatments including coatings against oxidation and erosion will be discussed.

General Electric GEnx aero engine is operating with gamma titanium aluminides airfoils in the low pressure turbine.

Curriculum vitae-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Leyens

Born in 1967, Professor Leyens studied physical metallurgy and materials technology at RWTH Aachen, Germany, where he earned his diploma in 1993 and his Ph.D. in 1997. Professor Leyens became research staff member at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in 1997 and has been working in various positions at DLR’s Institute of Materials Research since then. He is currently full professor at the Technical University of Brandenburg at Cottbus, Chair of Physical Metallurgy and Materials Technology, Vice President for Research, Development and Innovation at the university and Associate Director at DLR. In fifteen years of scientific work Professor Leyens has covered a wide range of research topics with a focus on high temperature and light weight materials as well as surface technology. He has published more than 140 papers, seven books and holds nine patents.