| Abstract Scope |
High bypass ratio turbofan aircraft engines and operating cycles are continuously evolving to satisfy ever more demanding requirements from airframe and airline customers, safety agencies or regulators and governments. Primarily these involve improvements in thermal and propulsive efficiency to reduce fuel burn, emissions and noise, and to extend the life of hot section components, whilst enhancing levels of safety and reliability. The aim of this presentation is (i) to translate these requirements into the definition of material properties, necessary manufacturing capabilities, and test programmes for safety critical, High Pressure (HP) disc rotors that are made from wrought nickel-based superalloys, (ii) to examine the technical issues in developing improved high temperature nickel disc alloys, and (iii) to establish the strategy, team and support structure, which can most ably provide the capabilities and funding required to develop an alloy from Technology Readiness Level 0 to 6 and beyond. |