Failure analysis of a set of compressor blades

• Published in: Engineering failure analysis Vol. 15; no. 6; pp. 666 - 674
• Main Authors: Silveira, E., Atxaga, G., Irisarri, A.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-09-2008
• Subjects: Compressor blades; Foreign object damage; Nickel base alloys; Nickel base alloys; Compressor blades; Foreign object damage
• ISSN: 1350-6307; 1873-1961
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2007.10.002

This paper analyses the root causes of the failure of a set of blades belonging to the high pressure compressor of an aircraft engine. All these blades were manufactured using a 718 nickel base alloy. The performed study consisted in a fractographic analysis by scanning electron microscopy and a microstructural study using both scanning and optical microscopy. Phases which were present in the fracture surfaces were identified by means of X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry. As a result of this labour the failure was attributed to the impact of sand and stones; that is the so-called foreign object damage mechanism.