A brief overview and metallography for commonly used materials in aero jet engine construction

Aluminium, titanium, and nickel base alloys are mostly and widely used for aircraft jet engine construction. A proper evaluation of its microstructure is important from working safety point of view. To receive a well prepared sample of microstructure, some important steps have to be undertaken. Except for proper grinding and polishing of a sample, structure developing is a significant step, too. In order to develop microstructure various chemical reagents were used to achieve the best results for microstructure evaluation. The chemical reagents were used according to the previous knowledge and some new ones were also tested. Aluminium AK4-1č, titanium VT – 8, and nickel VŽL – 14 and ŽS6 – U alloys were used as an experimental materials. Alloy AK4-1č is used for fan blade production with working temperatures up to 300°C. It is a forged piece of metal machined down into final shape by five-axe milling machine. Alloy VT – 8 is used for high pressure compressor rotor blade production with working temperatures up to 500°C. Blades are forged as well and finally grinded. Finally nickel base alloys VŽL – 14 and ŽS6 – U are used for turbine blade production with working temperatures up 950°C. Blades for turbine are casted into mould with reducible models.