State-of-the-art (SOA) materials such as Pyrowear 675, CSS-42L and silicon nitride are considered as potential candidates for application in advanced gas turbine engine bearings. However, for such application surface modification of SOA materials is required to enhance their wear, corrosion and fatigue resistance. In Phase I, UES demonstrated the feasibility of coatings and other surface treatments for the said property enhancement of the SOA materials. The objective of the SBIR Phase II project is to continue refinement and testing of highly ranked coatings and surface modification techniques to obtain optimal performance of SOA materials. Also in Phase II, the performance of the optimized coatings and surface treatments will be validated in full scale bearing tests. This will be done with co-operation and/or participation of a major gas turbine engine manufacturer.

Successful completion of the project will enable the application of surface modified SOA materials in advanced gas turbine engines. This will greatly benefit the military’s ability to maintain fleet readiness, improve commercial aircraft engine reliability and maintainability, extend maintenance on ship power generators and ground based power generator turbines.

Additional details of this program can be obtained from Dr. A.K. Rai
(937) 426-6900 ext. 127, E-Mail: arai@ues.com).