Method Development for Containment Sizing
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | GKN AEROSPACE SWEDEN AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 354 820 |
| Project duration | October 2013 - June 2016 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The project aimed at developing test methods for material characterization and simulation methods for high strain rates and temperatures for materials with high fraction of nickel, commonly denoted super alloys. Civil turbofan engines are required to be able to contain blade fragments if they for any reason are released from its rotor, a requirement called containment. Methods to test and optically measure plastic strains at temperatures up to 650°C have been demonstrated and used as input to material modeling for FE simulation.
Expected results and effects
A large number of material tests were conducted where different combinations of strain rates and temperatures were tested. The results showed for instance that the material had a strain rate hardening and a varying failure strain as function of temperature. A ballistic test method has been developed where hot test specimens can be shot with varying speed to find the level when failure occurs. All testing was conducted on sheet material where the influence of material variations was kept to a minimum to ease assessment of calculation methods.
Planned approach and implementation
The project is a prolongation of an earlier project (VINNOVA NFFP5 nr. 2009-01242) and was run in cooperation between GKN Aerospace Engine Systems (GKN) and Luleå University of Technology (LTU). GKN provided the test material and LTU the testing. The results have then been jointly evaluated to ensure both quality and that results become useful. The project was the basis for two thesis works as well as a number of journal paper that are to be published within the scope for Ted Sjöberg´s Ph.D dissertation at LTU.