CRYSTAL BLADE TECHNOLOGY

Subject : Defence

Context: DRDO develops crystal blades for aero engines.

Concept:

India-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received 60 single-crystal blades for helicopter engines from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that the technology had been developed as part of a programme taken up by the DRDO’s Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL).
A total of 300 single-crystal high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades will be developed and delivered in five 60-blade sets. The remaining four sets are expected to be delivered at a later point.

Crystal Blades

Helicopters need compact and powerful aero-engines for operating at extreme conditions and to achieve this, state-of-the-art single crystal blades are used.
Made using a nickel-based superalloy, the blades feature a complex geometrical design and can withstand high temperatures.
The blades are used in the development of engines to allow helicopters to operate reliably in complex conditions.
The US, UK, Russia and France are among the few countries that can design and produce single-crystal components.