Strain Measurement in Gas Turbine Engine

There has been significant increase in the demand for light-weight gas turbine engines, with newly developed vectoring nozzles. This has resulted in higher strain levels as in order to increase the engine thrust, combustor and turbine modules are operating at higher temperatures and pressure. This is causing an increase in structural loading. The extremely high aerodynamic loads have led to abnormally high static stress levels in the blade attachment area of the rotating disk. Therefore, special measurement methods are employed for monitoring strain in such a high-temperature environment.

The high-temperature Weldable Strain Gauges of AW series from TML are ideal for this application. They are used in situations where heating or cooling occurs, as in engines, turbines, nuclear reactors, or chemical plants. In these applications, the mechanical and thermal stresses in the structural materials are measured. These strain gauges have strain sensing elements fully encapsulated in corrosion-resisting metal tubes made of stainless steel or Inconel. The strain gauge backings are also made of the same material, and the gauges are installed by spot welding to metal specimens using a dedicated spot welder.

The maximum temperature at which these strain gauges can operate is 800°C. These gauges are also suitable for measurement in high-temperature harsh environments such as underwater or gas-filled atmosphere, or for long term measurements.

Recommended Sensor:

• AW Series Strain Gauge