SOURCE: AFI
The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a premier laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has proposed the engagement of retired personnel from the Army, Air Force, or Navy under the Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR)-Technical scheme. These experienced professionals will assist in critical material characterization and testing activities for aeroengine materials, such as titanium alloys, nickel-based superalloys, and specialized steels.
The role involves conducting a variety of mechanical tests under diverse operating conditions. Utilizing advanced equipment like universal testing machines, creep testing machines, and impact testing machines, the testing scope includes tensile, fatigue, creep, stress rupture, and impact tests. The responsibilities encompass ensuring the availability and compatibility of test specimens, setting up and assembling machines, preparing subsystems for operation, and accurately recording results. Traceability and thorough documentation of the testing processes are essential components of this activity.
Additionally, the engagement extends to aiding in heat treatment operations. This entails planning and executing the extraction of samples, operating heat treatment furnaces, performing precise heat treatment procedures, and maintaining meticulous records. The professionals will ensure the traceability of specimens throughout the heat treatment process, which is vital for achieving consistent results and ensuring material integrity.
This initiative not only leverages the technical expertise and discipline of retired armed forces personnel but also enhances the efficiency and reliability of material testing and heat treatment activities at GTRE. It represents a strategic step in advancing India’s aeroengine technology development efforts.
The roles for these retired defense personnel will include:
- Material Characterization and Testing:
- Mechanical Testing: They will assist in testing materials like Titanium alloys, Nickel-based superalloys, and various steels, which are pivotal for aeroengine components. The testing involves:
- Tensile Tests: Measuring the force required to pull materials apart.
- Fatigue Tests: Evaluating how materials withstand repeated loading and unloading.
- Creep Tests: Assessing material behavior under constant load at high temperatures.
- Stress Rupture Tests: Determining the time for a material to fail under stress at elevated temperatures.
- Impact Tests: Assessing how materials absorb energy during sudden loading.
- Activities Involved:
- Ensuring test specimens are available and compatible with testing machines.
- Setting up and operating universal testing machines, creep testing machines, and impact testing machines.
- Assembling test specimens, preparing subsystems, and operating the machines to conduct tests.
- Recording, maintaining traceability, and documenting test results for future reference and analysis.
- Mechanical Testing: They will assist in testing materials like Titanium alloys, Nickel-based superalloys, and various steels, which are pivotal for aeroengine components. The testing involves:
- Heat Treatment Activities:
- Process Management: Veterans will aid in:
- Planning and executing the extraction of samples for heat treatment.
- Operating heat treatment furnaces to perform necessary treatments.
- Documenting the entire process, from the execution of heat treatment to the recording of outcomes.
- Ensuring traceability of specimens through all stages of the treatment process.
- Process Management: Veterans will aid in: