Siemens achieves 3D printed gas turbine blade breakthrough

• 7 years ago (2017-02-07)
• David Flin

Europe 1061 Gas 370

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Siemens has finished its first full-load engine tests for gas turbine blades completely produced using Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology. The company successfully validated multiple AM printed turbine blades with a conventional blade design at full engine conditions, with the components tested at 13,000 rpm and over 1250°C. Siemens also tested a new blade design with a new internal cooling geometry manufactured using AM technology.

The tests were conducted at the Siemens testing facility in the industrial gas turbine factory in Lincoln, UK.

The blades were installed in a Siemens SGT-400 industrial gas turbine with a 13 MW capacity. The AM turbine blades were made from a powder of high performing polycrystalline nickel superalloy, allowing them to endure high pressure, high temperatures, and the rotational forces of the turbine’s high speed operation. The advanced blade design tested in Lincoln has improved cooling features that can increase the overall efficiency of the gas turbines.