EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FOR LIFE-CYCLE MANAGEMENT OF TURBINE ENGINE COMPONENTS.

This paper reviews ongoing developments in gas turbine engine component lifting technologies. Novel nondestructive inspection techniques for microdamage detection in turbine engine components based on small angle neutron scattering, positron annihilation spectroscopy and neutron diffraction are described. The limitations of these techniques have yet to be established, and much research and development work will be required before they can be commercialized. An emerging lifting procedure for low-cycle fatigue life-limited parts, based on defect tolerance and the application of fracture mechanical principles, is also outlined. The potential impact of these technologies on component life-cycle management and the cost of ownership of turbine engines is discussed.