 |
 |
||||||
[June 2009]
Kyocera Delivers High-Temp Ceramic Micro-Turbine Rotors to Turbine Lab
Kyocera Industrial Ceramics Corp (Vancouver, WA, USA) said on 8 June 2009 that it had delivered high-temperature silicon nitride SN-282 rotors to a nationally recognised gas turbine engine (GTE) research and development laboratory, which is developing a three-kilowatt GTE-powered electrical generator.
Kyocera said that the SN-282 ceramic material was the rotor material of choice for the manufacturer’s miniature gas turbine engine due to its exceptional creep resistance at high temperatures and Kyocera's proven capability to mass-produce ceramic components in complex net shapes for cost-sensitive markets.
SN-282’s high-temperature properties allow for a progressive engine design that does not require rotor blades to have embedded cooling-air channels — a structural element that traditionally presents manufacturing complications and dramatically increases production costs.
Additionally, the higher operating temperature permitted by ceramic creates significant gains in thermal efficiency. As a result, Kyocera expects the ceramic-equipped GTE to provide a competitive alternative to the internal combustion engine. The ceramic-equipped GTE will compete with, or beat, small gasoline engines on fuel economy — while providing the superior longevity and reliability of a gas turbine.
Demand for portable three-kilowatt generators for use in land and air applications is expected to grow significantly over the next 10 years.
Kyocera has been providing high quality monolithic ceramic components to the gas turbine engine industry for more than 20 years, with facilities in the USA and Japan.
Kyocera Industrial Ceramics Corp manufactures cutting tools and advanced ceramic components and markets LCDs, thermal printheads, ultra-high vacuum metallised assemblies and industrial lenses. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyocera International Inc of San Diego, the North American holding company for Kyocera Corporation.
ENDS