HIGH-FLYING METALS

August 21, 1996
Source: The Times Interface newspaper
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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