Modeling and Simulation of Investment Casting for Gas Turbine Blades

Abstract

Gas turbines are critical to power generation for the electric grid. The blades of gas turbine are made by nickel-based superalloy which provides blades a high strength under a challenging environment. The manufacturing method of blades is investment casting and the process is very expensive. This paper provides methods of building models and simulating the casting process by finite element analysis (FEA). The results can help to increase the efficiency of blades manufacture.