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New Metal Alloys Boost High-temperature Heat Treatment Of Jet Engine Components

Date:
July 27, 2007
Source:
National Physical Laboratory
Summary:
New "fixed points" identified at high temperatures reduce the uncertainty of industrial heat treatments. One consequence is more efficient jet engines.
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Measurement scientists at the National Physical Laboratory have reduced the uncertainty of thermocouple temperature sensors at high temperatures to within a degree. This may allow manufacturers to improve efficiency and reduce wastage in the quest for more efficient jet engines and lower aircraft emissions.

Aircraft engines are more efficient at higher temperatures, but this requires thermal treatment of engine components at very specific high temperatures in excess of 1300 °C. If the heat treatment temperature deviates too much from the optimal temperature, the treatment may be inadequate.

Thermocouples are calibrated using materials with known melting points (fixed points), but the available reference materials in the region of the very high temperatures required to treat jet engine components have a large uncertainty compared with the lower temperature fixed points.

Using a new type of metal alloy, National Physical Laboratory scientists have identified a range of reference points for thermocouples beyond 1100 °C. With this added confidence in thermal sensors, component manufacturers are expected to start improving hotter thermal treatments and reducing wastage during production of parts for engines which can run at higher temperatures.


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Materials provided by National Physical Laboratory. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Cite This Page:

National Physical Laboratory. "New Metal Alloys Boost High-temperature Heat Treatment Of Jet Engine Components." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 27 July 2007. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070724092914.htm>.
National Physical Laboratory. (2007, July 27). New Metal Alloys Boost High-temperature Heat Treatment Of Jet Engine Components. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 29, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070724092914.htm
National Physical Laboratory. "New Metal Alloys Boost High-temperature Heat Treatment Of Jet Engine Components." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070724092914.htm (accessed March 29, 2024).

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