Turbines are used in many different ways produce and generate electricity. They are used as gas turbines, coal turbines and steam turbines. Each one has a different property, which makes it unique. Airlines and cars generally run on gas turbines. Steam engines, ships and railway engines run on coal turbines as coal produces a high amount of energy that enables them to run for long length of time before adding more coal.In order for these turbine’s to operate well and efficiently with as little maintenance as possible, it is necessary for the turbine’s to have well-constructed, well designed turbine blades. They have to have certain properties that enable them to withstand high temperature and also be able to operate under extremely cold conditions when used in aeroplanes. They have to be light in weight and density in order to be driven by the steam or the gas, yet be strong enough to support the strong forces and pressure applied on it.Materials used in turbine blades undergo several treatments to reinforce the strength. There are many challenges put forward to the producers of these turbines, as they have to design them to be environmentally friendly, yet be powerful. In order to cope with the pressures of having to implement the need to be lightweight and environmentally friendly, they have to improve the mechanical and thermal strength in order to match keep up with the rising technology and competition.Turbine blades have to be able to endure temperatures around and greater then 500OC, in order for them to be useful. A reasonably lightweight alloy commonly used in the production of turbine blades is an often a long SiC-fibre reinforced titanium alloy for the highly mechanically loaded parts. By using “sputtering” techniques followed by hot isostatic pressing cycles, the components then become strengthened in comparison to conventional materials, which are manufactured.These alloys are heavily researched to...
