Rostec United Engine Corporation is introducing an innovative technology for the production of aircraft engine parts using friction welding. The technology has been developed on unique, fully domestic equipment capable of welding parts with a force of more than 400 tons.
Parts made of heat-resistant materials are widely used in modern aircraft engines. They are resistant to high temperatures, but they cannot be welded by the traditional melting method. Instead, parts made of heat-resistant materials are connected using heavy-duty bolts.
The new technology allows you to connect parts made of heat-resistant materials using friction welding instead of bolts. This will reduce the weight of the structure with better strength characteristics and increase the life of the power plant.
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| The element is made of a promising heat-resistant nickel alloy, welded by friction. |
| Source: JSC "UEC" |
The method of manufacturing parts of gas turbine engine rotors from experimental nickel alloys will allow achieving a number of competitive advantages for promising engines, which will significantly increase the technical characteristics of the final product.
The technology was tested using a unique inertial friction welding unit developed according to the technical specifications of the branch of JSC "UEC" "NIID". The installation welds parts with a force exceeding 400 tons-forces. The equipment also made it possible to conduct scientific research, determine the optimal welding and heat treatment modes.
"The installation of PSTI-400 makes it possible to work out the process of joining non-welded alloys, from which elements of promising engines are created. We are also working on a more powerful PSTI-1000 installation. With its help, we will master the technology of manufacturing full—size parts, and we will also be able to scale our experience at other UEC enterprises," said Sergey Pavlinich, director of the branch of JSC UEC NIID.
© JSC "United Engine Corporation"