Turbiinisiivet

Turbiinisiivet, commonly referred to as turbine blades, are aerodynamically shaped components attached to a turbine rotor. They are designed to extract energy from a flowing fluid—gas, steam, or, in the case of some wind applications, wind—and convert it into rotational mechanical energy. In most turbines, blades are arranged in rotor and stage configurations, with rotor blades mounted to a disk and stator vanes guiding the flow between stages.

In gas turbines, blades face extreme temperatures, pressures, and mechanical stresses. Many blades use advanced materials such as nickel-based superalloys, including single-crystal or directionally solidified forms, and are cooled by internal channels or film cooling. Thermal barrier coatings protect the metal surface, extending life at high operating temperatures.

In steam turbines, blades withstand high-pressure steam and must resist creep, corrosion, and fatigue. Materials typically include high-strength steels and nickel-based alloys tailored for steam environments, with designs that manage thermal transients and oxidation.

In wind turbines, rotor blades are large composite structures made of glass- or carbon-fiber reinforced polymers. They emphasize lightweight, fatigue resistance, and durability, with aerofoil shapes optimized for varying wind speeds and sweep. The manufacturing focus differs from high-temperature blades, often relying on resin-impregnated fiber composites and careful quality control for long service life.

Manufacturing methods for turbine blades include investment casting, precision forging, and increasingly additive manufacturing for complex cooling passages and geometry. Quality assurance relies on non-destructive evaluation and rigorous testing to monitor for cracks, delamination, and coating integrity.