Predicted inlet gas temperatures for tungsten fiber reinforced superalloy turbine blades

Tungsten fiber-reinforced superalloy composite (TFRS) impingement-cooled turbine blade inlet gas temperatures were calculated taking into account material spanwise strength, thermal conductivity, material oxidation resistance, fiber-matrix interaction, and coolant flow. Measured values of TFRS thermal conductivities are presented. Calculations indicate that blades made of 30 volume percent fiber content TFRS having a 12,000 N-m/kg stress-to-density ratio while operating at 40 atm and a 0.06 coolant flow ratio could permit a turbine blade inlet gas temperature of over 1900 K. This is more than 150 K greater than similar superalloy blades.