Fraunhofer ISC, Center for High Temperature Materials and Design HTL, BayreuthCurrently funded project
Motivation
Nanocrystalline microstructure of an oxide ceramic fibre (SEM image, 1200x magnification)
Two-layer fabric with sinusoidally curved layers of oxide ceramic fibres
Planar structure with opposing tubular half-shells on fabric top and bottom made of oxide ceramic fibres
In the field of aviation, weight reduction and energy efficiency are at the top of the list of requirements for R&D programmes. Ceramic fibre composites (CMC) offer the following advantages for use in aircraft gas turbines:
- Density is 2/3 lower than conventional nickel-based alloys.
- The high-temperature resistance is up to 300 K higher than that of metals.
- The oxidation resistance of O-CMC is naturally high.
- The tendency to corrosion in the combustion atmosphere is low.
In the hot section of gas turbines, CMC components therefore enable more efficient and complete combustion and thus increase the potential of the fuels used. The AirfOx project is intended to expand Bavaria's expertise in the production of 3D components made of CMC.
Objective
Microstructure oxide ceramics: fibre diameter (one filament) = 8 to 12 μm
Within the scope of the project, a technology is to be developed with which a near-net-shape 3D preform of engine blades for aircraft gas turbines (airfoils) can be integrally woven from oxidic ceramic fibres and made suitable for series production. This is to be further processed into an energy-efficient high-temperature O-CMC component. The material and component development is supported by multi-scale simulation of the structure-property relationships.
Approach
Planned Airfoil geometry to be translated into a textile ceramic fibre preform
- Development of oxide ceramic fibres with improved creep resistance by at least 100 K (on a laboratory scale) and with mechanical properties comparable to the benchmark or better
- Development of a near-net-shape 3D fibre preform for stator and rotor blades in aircraft engines made of oxide ceramic fibres
- Development of a slip infiltration method for 3D ceramic fibre preforms
Project Data
| Project Duration | 01.01.2021 - 31.12.2022 |
| Sponsor | Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy |
| Funding Amount | 280,000 Euro |
| Project Partners |
Fraunhofer-Anwendungszentrum TFK |
| Project Coodination | Fraunhofer-Anwendungszentrum TFK |
| Project Management at the HTL | Daniela Albert |
