Testing of Ceramic Rotors: Hot Spin Test Rig and Rotor Preparation

Abstract

A series of duo-density silicon nitride gas turbine rotors have been prepared for testing and tested at Ford Motor Company. The paper reviews the duo-density fabrication process, and covers in detail the rotor preparation process, which includes machining, inspection, and cold proof spinning. The paper describes the hot spin test rig used for the hot testing of the rotors, and summarizes the results of the hot spin test program.