Emission mitigation potential of lightweight intermetallic TiAl components

An environmental comparison is made between two gamma titanium aluminide (γ-TiAl) alloys, Ti–46Al–8Nb and Ti–46Al–8Ta (at.%), and the standard nickel superalloy, INC713LC used for investment cast components in the low pressure (LP) turbine section of aero-engines. Over the complete lifetime, weight reduction by direct replacement could give significant reductions in CO2 emissions, greatly outweighing the impact of other environmental emissions.

► Life-cycle analysis comparing two gamma titanium aluminide alloys with a nickel superalloy.
► In-service calculations focussing on the potential lightweighting of an aero-engine low pressure turbine stage.
► Estimation of lifetime emissions of green house gas and the manufacturing impact on resource depletion.
► The significance of the results are put in the context of current ACARE targets.