MTU Explores potential for metal injection molding (MIM) in the manufacture of jet engine components
MTU Aero Engines GmbH, based in Munich, is Germany’s leading aero engine manufacturer and an established global player in the aerospace industry, with reported sales of around €2.6 billion in 2009.
As part of MTU’s drive to improve the efficiency and performance of advanced aero engines, the company has in recent years been looking at metal injection molding (MIM) as a more cost-effective manufacturing method for complex shape compressor vanes located in the high pressure compressor of aero engines which operate at elevated temperatures.
One such engine is the Joint Technology Demonstrator Programme engine (JTDP03) which has been developed jointly with Pratt & Whitney (P&W) in the USA.
According to a recently unclassified NATO report, MIM stator vanes made from gas atomised nickel base superalloy powders capable of operating at temperatures of up to 650°C, have been engine tested with a view to replacing vanes made from forgings or castings.
