Temperature Field During the Hot Pressing of Ceramic Gas Turbine Components

In the paper, the process of hot vacuum pressing of Al2O3-based components of gas turbines is analyzed. Computer simulation of the temperature field in the installation of powdered billet of Al2O3 - SiC was preformed using the finite element method. The model took into account the temperature dependence of the thermophysical properties of the materials of the installation elements and billet, as well as the thermal and electrical resistances in the contact area. Concordance between the obtained results of calculations and laboratory measurements of temperature proved the reliability of the model. The results of computer experiments show that by selecting the materials of the installation elements, it is possible to obtain homogeneous temperature field in the sample at the final stage of the sintering process. This way the energy consumption of the entire sintering process can be significantly reduce, and higher structural homogeneity of bulk material can be reached.