A research study was undertaken to evaluate whether electron beam welding (EBW) or gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) could be utilized for repairs to the leading edges of the Turmo IV C compressor blades. These blades are manufactured from Ti-6Al-4V. The study entailed performing a series of welding trials. For the GTAW process a matching filler metal to the parent metal was used, whereas for the EBW process, the welds were made autogenously. After metallographic examination of the weld microstructure, mechanical property assessments were undertaken, namely tensile and fatigue tests, the latter being a stringent test to evaluate the performance of the welded joint. The results demonstrated that the EB welds had equivalent properties to the parent metal, whereas the GTA welds had poorer fatigue properties due to undesirable microstructure that resulted in the weld zone. The results achieved herein showed that the EBW process would be an appropriate technique for the restoration of these compressor blades.

Issue Section:
Gas Turbines: Manufacturing and Materials
Topics:
Blades, Compressors, Exploding wires, Gas tungsten arc welding, Maintenance, Welded joints, Metals, Electron beam welding, Fatigue properties, Fatigue testing, Filler metals, Mechanical properties, Welding
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