Evaluation of Candidate Metals in a Simulated Space Shuttle Main Engine Environment for Application as Turbine Blade Dampers.

Abstract

The high-pressure pumps for the space shuttle main engine are driven by combustion products which are 50% H2 and 50% H2O (by weight). The Haynes alloy 188, used in the dampers, has experienced erosion. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the erosion producing characteristics of wet H2 using a controlled environment produced by a ballistic compressor. Four candidate materials were evaluated: H-188, A-286, Pt/Rh and Rh. Rh was clearly the most erosion resistant. Comparisons with AISI 4340 and Fe specimens of known uniformity indicate that metallurgical defects in the candidate materials are primary contributors to the higher than usual erosion. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1979
Accession Number
ADA078837

Entities

People

  • Leonard H. Caveny
  • Samuel O. Morris

Organizations

  • Princeton University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alloys
  • Combustion
  • Combustion Products
  • Elements
  • Engineering
  • Flow
  • High Pressure
  • High Temperature
  • Materials
  • Mechanics
  • Metals
  • Space Flight
  • Space Shuttles
  • Stainless Steel
  • Turbine Blades
  • United States
  • Water Vapor

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Materials Science
  • ballistics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster