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MTU Aero Engines Automate the Detection of Critical Size Defects in Nickel-based Superalloys

Casting
Aerospace & Defense

If you work in the parts supply chain for the aerospace sector, chances are that you are familiar with the challenges associated with the production of cast parts made of nickel-based superalloys.

Critical defects include pore clusters, which are formed during the investment casting process by specific solidification conditions. Unfortunately, those pore clusters are a primary crack initiation source, resulting in high scrap rates for aero parts manufacturers. In the long-term, these pore clusters can also translate into reduced fatigue life for nickel-base superalloys, with lower-quality parts offering less durability. Thus, to guarantee component life in the context of highly stressed aero-engine components, a detailed description of the contained porosity is paramount.

Manufacturing process engineers at MTU Aero Engines have investigated a solution based on numerical casting simulation to predict the formation of those pore clusters. MTU Aero Engines presented a paper during the EuroSuperalloys 2022 symposium, along with ESI Group and material characterization partner, UES Robomet. Read our full blog post for more info.