New metals to help planes fly faster are being created by a 3.3 million
pound sterling engineering research programme at the universities of
Cambridge and Swansea (Iola Smith writes).
Financed by the DTI and companies including Rolls Royce, British Steel and
GEC, it aims to create a new generation of aero engines within three years.
"At present, engines operate at about 1,000C," explained Swansea's Professor
of Materials Engineering, Brian Wilshire. "But if we can develop new metals
that will withstand temperatures 50C to 100C hotter, it will be possible to
fly faster and use less fuel."
To achieve this, engineers from Cambridge's Department of Materials Science
and Metallurgy are developing new materials for engine turbines.
Using computer modelling techniques, they are improving the chemical
composition and micro structure of a variety of nikel-based alloys, which
are sent to Swansea for testing.
Traditionally, testing such material thoroughly could take up to six years.
But Swansea has reduced this to months by computer.
"We hope to produce 10 to 20 years worth of data on each material in six
months," said Professor Wilshire. "So we will be able to get the new alloys
on the market that much sooner."
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