Are Your Aircraft Engines Well Protected?
Major engine manufacturers are constantly battling operational conditions and the demands they put on engines. This is particularly true when it comes to aircraft engines. Manufacturers are always searching for ways, between overhauls, to allow jets to fly longer. Thermal spray coatings are used on literally thousands of parts. So essential are these coatings that they are specifically included in specifications from OEMs such as Rolls-Royce, Pratt and Whitney, and General Electric.
OEM and ODM all go to Sleep
The traditional definition of OEM (original equipment manufacturer) refers to companies that provide components or other goods that are used in another company’s products. The latter company then sells them to the public or a business. As an example, companies like Apple and Dell that build systems get packaged software and hardware from OEMs. The term ODM should not be confused with OEM. ODM, rather, refers to original design manufacturing.
For Every Part – A Coating Solution
Here you will see the most commonly affected aircraft engine components and the problems that can plague them.
Turbine Section – sulphidation, sliding, sealing, rubbing, oxidation, high temperatures, fretting, erosion, corrosion, and the need for a thermal barrier must be dealt with through the use of thermal coatings on the following components:
- vanes
- stators
- seals
- rings
- pins
- nozzle cases
- exhaust cases
- bushings
- blade tips
- blades
- air seals, and more
Fan – sliding, impact, fretting, erosion, and corrosion all need to be protected against on the following components:
- shafts
- hubs
- blades, and more
Compressor section – sliding, sealing, oxidation, galling, fretting, fouling, erosion, and corrosion all need to be protected against on the following components:
- vanes
- stators
- spacers
- sleeves
- rotor tubes
- rings
- liners
- impellers
- hubs
- disks
- cases
- blades
Combustion section – sulphidation, oxidation, high temperatures, fretting, corrosion, and the need for a thermal barrier all need to be dealt with through the use of thermal spray coatings on the following components:
- thermal couple probes
- fuel swirlers
- fuel nozzle nuts
- chamber assemblies such as positioning pins, domes, cases, and clamps
Accessories – sliding, rubbing, fretting, and erosion need to be protected against on the following components:
- breather tubes
- scavenge
- oil pump gears
- labyrinth seal fins and teeth
- lug and support pins
- gearbox bushings
- spacers and supports
- seats
- housings
- seal assemblies
- rings
- main shaft
- bearing housings
Each of the above stated components presents a unique challenge. So that you can get added performance from your equipment and parts, a particular solution (unique to each component) may need to be developed. Standard solutions work for many components on numerous engines – but not all. Experts in the field of thermal spray protective coatings can not only customize a coating solution but determine best practices where application methods are concerned.
You Need a Qualified Thermal Spray Company
By applying the appropriate and sometimes customized spray coating, the problems which frequently affect the above components can be lessened if not completely eliminated.
A&A Coatings has the coatings you need for whatever engine components you need them for. With decades of experience in the thermal spray industry, we can advise you as to which coating is best. Should you need a customized coating, we’ve got you covered there, too. Contact us today to see how we can be of assistance in prolonging the life of your engine and its components.
