Various techniques for manufacturing integrally bladed turbine disks (turbine blisks) are described, followed by a discussion of the development trend of turbine blisk manufacture. Analysis shows that powder metallurgy near‐net‐shape hot isostatic pressing will be the focus of future research for turbine blisk blanking, while electrical discharge machining still will be the most competitive technology for turbine blisk finishing.

Manufacturing turbine blisks

Over the last 25 years, thousands of powder metallurgy parts have been consolidated to full density by hot isostatic pressing and used in many critical applications. With an annual production approximating 6.8M kg (7,500st), hot isostatic pressing is the preferred commercial process for achieving full density in parts made from metal powders. To ensure uniformity and process consistency, gas-atomized, pre-alloyed powders are normally used. These powders are essentially spherical and are processed through the steps of screening, blending, and container loading prior to hot isostatic pressing. Following consolidation, parts may be used as is, or they may be thermo-mechanically processed, heat treated, and/or non-destructively tested, depending on final usage. Applications taking advantage of the improved performance of hot isostatic pressed powder metallurgy parts include high temperature rotating components for aircraft and marine gas turbine systems, corrosion resistant pressure bearing components for petrochemical equipment, nuclear reactors, medical implants and components for hot and cold working tools and dies.

F. J Rizzo

Papers

Fully dense P/M components produced by hot isostatic pressing