The objective of the Advanced High Temperature Engine Materials
Technology Program (HITEMP) at the NASA Lewis Research Center
is to generate technology for advanced materials and structural
analysis that will increase fuel economy, improve reliability,
extend life, and reduce operating costs for 21st century civil
propulsion systems. The primary focus is on fan and compressor
materials (polymer-matrix composites--PMC's), compressor and turbine
materials (superalloys, and metal-matrix and intermetallic-matrix
composites--MMC's and IMC's), and turbine materials (ceramic-matrix
composites--CMC's). These advanced materials are being developed
in-house by Lewis researchers and on grants and contracts.
NASA considers this program to be a focused materials and structures
research effort that builds on our basic research programs and
supports component-development projects. HITEMP is coordinated
with the Advanced Subsonic Technology (AST) Program and the Department
of Defense/NASA Integrated High-Performance Turbine Engine Technology
(IHPTET) Program. Advanced materials and structures technologies
from HITEMP may be used in these future applications.
Recent technical accomplishments have not only improved the state
of the art but have wide-ranging applications for industry. An
oxidation-resistant coating was developed that is chemically compatible
with a TiAl-base alloy. The coating, optimized for toughness and
oxidation resistance, is being evaluated in a cooperative program
with the Allison Engine Company for future turbine engine applications.
Our patented "Single Transducer Ultrasonic Imaging Method
That Eliminates the Effect of Plate Thickness Variation in the
Image" won a 1996 R&D 100 Award. Another product of HITEMP
research, the computer code CEMCAN (Ceramic Matrix Composite Analyzer),
was released to COSMIC for commercialization, and several other
developmental codes were released to industry via software release
agreements. In the Lincoln Composites/AlliedSignal/Lewis cooperative
program, a composite compressor case, which was manufactured with
the Lewis-developed matrix VCAP, is currently being rig tested
at AlliedSignal Inc. to demonstrate the feasibility of VCAP in
a high-temperature (500 °F) environment typical of jet engine
applications.
The next annual review of the HITEMP program will be held April 29-30, 1997. Details of research accomplishments will be published in a conference report that will be available at the conference, which is open to U.S. citizens only. (Permission to use this material was granted by Hugh R. Gray, January 1997.)
Previous articleLast updated April 30, 1997
Responsible NASA Official:
Gynelle.C.Steele@nasa.gov
216-433-8258
Point of contact for NASA Glenn's Research & Technology reports:
Cynthia.L.Dreibelbis@nasa.gov
216-433-2912
SGT, Inc.
Web page curator:
Nancy.L.Obryan@nasa.gov
216-433-5793
Wyle Information Systems, LLC
