Introduction
Powder metallurgy is a process of forming metal components from powdery mixtures through pressing, compaction and sintering. It is a cost effective way of manufacturing high-performance components that are complex in shape, hard and difficult to machine. Powder metallurgy is used for automotive, aerospace, and medical components. In addition, powder metallurgy is being increasingly used for jet engine components due to its superior performance, cost effectiveness and efficiency.
The Components
The powder used for jet engine components is normally made of either nickel or cobalt as the primary element. In order to improve performance, other elements such as chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten are added in trace amounts. In addition, graphite is used for lubrication in the parts and to ensure efficient flow of heated air along the parts.
The Process
The powder metallurgy process used to make jet engine components includes several steps. It starts with the production of powdered metal components in a blender or mixer. The powder must then be dried, conditioned and screened. The next step is pressing. The powder is then placed in a die, which is a container with a precise shape, and is pressed with a predetermined force. This process creates solid components with the desired shape.
The components are then sintered, or heated and allowed to cool in a controlled environment. This further strengthens the shape and bonds the components together. After sintering, the components must be machined and lapped (fine-ground or honed) to their final dimensions.
Conclusion
Powder metallurgy is a cost-efficient and reliable method of manufacturing components with complex shapes and excellent performance for jet engines. From production to machining, the process requires precision and accuracy in all stages. It is also important that all critical tolerances are met in order for the components to work effectively and safely. By using powder metallurgy, manufacturers can ensure that the parts used in jet engines perform at peak levels.
