Gas Turbine Ring Disk Microstructure Optimization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine ring-shaped disks for aircraft engines face challenges in achieving high strength and low cycle fatigue properties due to increased size and centrifugal forces, requiring more costly and resource-intensive die forging processes.

Innovation Solution

A ring-shaped disk with a microstructure featuring flattened δ phase particles oriented at angles between 60 to 120° with respect to the radial direction, produced using a ring rolling mill, enhances strength and low cycle fatigue properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the ring-shaped disk is made larger to increase gas turbine power, then the gas turbine power increases, but the centrifugal force and thermal stress on the ring-shaped disk increase, requiring much higher strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas turbine powerVSAvoidring-shaped disk strength
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform distribution of δ phase particles within the ring-shaped disk. Specifically, the concentration and orientation of δ phase particles are optimized in different regions (radial, tangential, and axial directions) to provide enhanced strength where needed most, particularly in areas subjected to highest centrifugal forces and thermal stresses. This local microstructural optimization allows the disk to withstand higher loads without requiring a complete redesign of the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes composite material principles by creating a multi-phase microstructure consisting of γ matrix phase and δ precipitate phase. This composite microstructure at the microscopic level provides synergistic properties: the γ matrix provides ductility and toughness while the δ phase provides strength and creep resistance. The controlled distribution and orientation of these phases create a composite material system that achieves the required high strength for larger disk sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If die forging is used to manufacture larger ring-shaped disks to achieve higher strength, then the strength may be sufficient, but the manufacturing cost and equipment requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvering-shaped disk strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and equipment requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the microstructural parameters (δ phase particle concentration, size, and orientation) through controlled rolling processes rather than changing the macroscopic manufacturing method from rolling to die forging. By adjusting parameters such as rolling temperature, rolling reduction ratio, and heat treatment conditions, the patent achieves high strength properties through microstructural control, avoiding the need for expensive large-capacity die forging equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical system of die forging with a rolling process combined with microstructural control. Instead of using high-tonnage die forging machines to achieve strength, the patent uses rolling mills with controlled microstructural evolution during deformation. This substitution replaces expensive mechanical forging systems with more economical rolling equipment while achieving comparable or superior strength through microstructural optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The enhanced microstructure significantly improves the strength and reliability of the ring-shaped disk, allowing for larger sizes without damage and reducing manufacturing costs by using a ring rolling mill instead of large die forging machines.

Implementation Method 1

a preformed ring material 3 shown in a perspective view of FIG 2 is subjected to rolling by a ring rolling mill; and thereby, a ring-shaped disk material 10 is produced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2287348B1Ring-shaped disk for gas turbine
Publication Date: 2015.08.12 MMC SUPERALLOY CORP
  • EP2287348B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2287348B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2287348B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This ring-shaped disk for a gas turbine includes a ring-shaped disk material consisting of a Ni-based alloy, wherein the Ni-based alloy has a composition that includes, in terms of percent by mass, Ni: 50.00 to 55.00%, Cr: 17.0 to 21.0%, Nb: 4.75 to 5.60%, Mo: 2.8 to 3.3%, Ti: 0.65 to 1.15%, Al: 0.20 to 0.80%, and C: 0.01 to 0.08%, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities, and has a microstructure in which δ phase particles are distributed in a matrix thereof, and wherein, in the microstructure, flattened δ phase particles of which maximum length directions are oriented at angles within a range of 60 to 120° with respect to a radial direction of the ring-shaped disk material are present in an amount of 60% or more of a total amount of the δ phase particles distributed in the matrix.