CTMA Project #: 142028
Problem: All machinery and equipment operating in harsh environments is subject to a much higher level of abuse, and aircraft engines are critical components that are particularly vulnerable. Environmental concerns are mainly due to sand ingestion which damages engine parts, leading to compressor hardware erosion, compromised hot section secondary cooling, flow path deposit buildup, and protective coating erosion & spallation. Protective coating erosion and spallation is a significant contributor to hot section performance loss and downstream maintenance costs. Solutions are needed to improve the life of the protective coating as well as to decrease the amount of sand deposition.
Benefit: Proving the viability of this technology on a specific military archetype will demonstrate applicability across a broader range of both commercial and governmental engines and fleets and will maximize the benefits of this effort.
Solution/Approach: The initiative will evaluate a new coating solution that mitigates dust and sand. The goals are to demonstrate specialized coatings for quick adoption by equipment original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), to accelerate technology modifications that will address coating related issues, and to accelerate the maturation of the lower Technical Readiness Level (TRL) coating repair technology.
Impact on Warfighter:
- Reduce maintenance and sustainment costs
- Increase safety and reliability
- Ensure warfighter readiness and lethality
DOD Participation:
- U.S. Navy NAVAIR
- U.S. Army Aviation Engineering Directorate (observer)
Industry Participation:
- General Electric
- NCMS
Benefit Area(s):
- Cost savings
- Repair turn-around time
- Maintenance avoidance and reliability
- Safety
- Improved readiness
- Energy efficiency
- Durability
- Reliability Improvement
Focus Area:
- Coatings/corrosion prevention
