A Tool for the Simulation of Thermal and Chemical Effects on Turbine Engine Component Parts

CompuTherm, LLC proposes to develop a tool that integrates thermodynamic and kinetic models for the simulation of the formation and growth of undesired phases in turbine engine component parts during heat treatment and service. The proposed innovative tool will enable calculation of the amounts of detrimental phases accumulated after each heat treatment cycle. This information is crucial for assisting engineers to evaluate the condition of an engine component and estimate the maximum number of times it can be re-heat treated. Such a tool is critically needed in reducing expensive testing, which involves the parts having to be cut up and assessed. This will result in significant cost savings for the USAF and the aerospace industry. In addition, the tool will be valuable for materials design and development. CompuTherm, LLC has significant capabilities for developing such a tool from its experience with Pandat and WinChem software, and the thermodynamic databases for nickel, titanium and aluminum alloys. In Phase I, CompuTherm, LLC will examine the feasibility of developing such a tool from the thermodynamic aspect, whilst kinetic models for the prediction of phase growth will be integrated in Phase II.