PRECISION FORGING PROGRAM FOR TURBINE WHEELS AND GEARS.
Abstract
The radial extrusion process has been developed and demonstrated to be feasible as a method for precision forging gears and turbine wheels with integral blades. A state-of-the-art survey indicated a need for an improved forming process to rapidly and economically fabricate the high temperature metals and superalloys into advanced aircraft and aerospace components. The development program initiated to fulfill these objectives included a single station screening phase to develop the process components and a full scale effort to fabricate and evaluate turbine wheels and gears. Results of the screening tests used to evaluate expendable materials for forging die inserts showed a high density alumina product to be most promising. Precision cast steel inserts performed satisfactorily as permanent type inserts. The success of using individual die inserts in a precision forging operation depended on a unique hydraulic closure mechanism which adapted the forging tooling in an 8000-ton mechanical press. The developed process was used to produce high quality turbine wheels with integral blades from several superalloys. Precision tolerances, excellent surface finish, and minimum stock removal were obtained by forging the material into individual die cavities having zero draft on the sides. The process was verified by the satisfactory metallurgical and mechanical properties obtained from the forgings produced during a prototype production run. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0607369
Entities
People
- James A. Timura
- Tobert W. Redlinger