Intermetallic metal experiments are to be performed on the International Space Station (ISS) over the next five years to boost efforts to develop lighter, stronger turbine blades for aeroengines under the European Union's Sixth Framework research programme.
Intermetallics are combinations of metals such as aluminium and titanium, but have radically different crystalline structures.
These structures have good thermal properties, high strength and a density that can be half that ofaluminium. Lighter turbineblades enable production of jet engines with a higher thrust-to-weight ratio.
The experiments are to be carried out in the ISS's material science laboratory. On the ISS, factors such as convection and diffusion in solidification processes, like casting, can be analysed without the interference of gravity. In microgravity conditions these factors can be detected as separate elements in the process.
"We need to understand the effects on solidification to better improve [manufacturing] processes and produce better metals. It's really valuable research and we are the only Sixth Framework project using the Space Station," says intermetallic project co-ordinator David Jarvis, who is based at the European Space Agency's (ESA) directorate of human spaceflight in the Netherlands.
The ISS work will be the third stage in a series of microgravity experiments. The first will useparabolic flights, which are expected in the next 12 months. That will be followed a year later by sounding rocket launches. Jarvis hopes the ISS results will lead to an extension of the intermetallic work to realise its potential in 10 years' time.
The experiments form are included in the European Commission and ESA's €1 million ($54.3 million) Impress project, which will be run over the next five years. This is part of the European Union's Sixth Framework research programme on nanotechnologies and nanosciences, knowledge based multifunctional materials and new production processes and devices.
ROB COPPINGER / LONDON
Source: Flight International
