Most modern aircrafts use gas turbine engines. These engines are either located under the tail or the wings of the aircraft. This part is responsible for propelling the aircraft forward. Since these parts have to endure an immense amount of pressure, the materials used in them need to be able to withstand high pressures and temperatures.
A gas turbine engine can come in different types, but they all have some common parts such as a turbine, fan, compressor, combustor, and exhaust nozzle. Each of these parts plays an important role in the engine's system. Amidst all these the exhaust nozzle receives the least attention. It is shaped like a tube through which the outgoing hot gases flow. The job of this exhaust nozzle is to produce thrust that will help the aircraft to maintain speed. It also has the function of receding the engine noise that is associated with the engine exhaust.
The exhaust nozzles are put under extremely high temperatures, therefore they need to be corrosion resistant and durable. In this blog post, we will explain which materials are used for making an aircraft exhaust nozzle.
Inconel
One of the most commonly used materials for exhaust nozzles is the Inconel. Inconel is a nickel-chromium alloy and it is classified as a superalloy. The best part of this material is that it is resistant to extreme weather conditions and temperatures. Inconel is often used in rocket ships due to its amazing qualities like corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance. This material is not only used in aircraft but it is also used in many sea vessels as well because of its ability to withstand prolonged exposure to saltwater.
Titanium
The demand for titanium is constantly rising since it is used by companies such as Boeing and Airbus to manufacture their newer planes. Titanium has a tensile strength to density ratio. So, it is a corrosion-resistant material and is able to withstand high temperatures. Hence, almost all the new aircraft and sea vessels now use titanium. Aircraft exhaust nozzles need to be able to withstand a lot of pressure, therefore they are made with titanium to ensure safe flying.
Stainless Steel Alloy
Aircraft exhaust nozzles use steel that have at least 10% chromium. Not all stainless-steels are the same, as they all are not created in the same way due to their different functions. So, they all are classified based on their compositions. Some may have more chromium or nickel than others. These steels are further classified into three types that are ferritic, martensitic, and austenitic stainless steel. Most aircrafts tend to use super austenitic stainless steel. The austenitic alloys are made of chromium, nickel, and carbon, which makes it highly resistant to extreme temperatures. Since austenitic stainless steel has more nickel and chromium it is more corrosion resistant than other types of stainless steel.
Final Word
An aircraft's engine is made up of a lot of materials such as fans, turbines, and exhaust nozzles. All these parts play an important role in the safe flying of the aircraft. Since all these parts have to bear a lot of pressure and temperature they need to be made from the finest materials. The aforementioned materials are used to make aircraft exhaust nozzles. These materials are the strongest and the most durable which makes the exhaust nozzle a strong part of the aircraft.
About Acorn Welding
Acorn Welding is Canada's largest aircraft exhaust and engine mount repair company. We provide not only professional services for aircraft part welding but also offer high-quality aircraft parts. For more information, you can visit our website or contact us.
