Burst Strengths and Deformations of Welded Composite Turbine Wheels as Related to Weld Quality and Plasticity Calculations

Abstract

Experimental justification is presented for extending an existing rotating disk deformation theory-finite difference plastic flow calculation method to predicting the deformation and fracture of welded composite aircraft gas turbine wheels. Calculated deformations generally equaled but sometimes exceeded measured deformations. Fractures could be predicted for wheels containing no significant defects. Defects observed in fracture surfaces were incomplete penetration, incomplete fusion, porosity, and coarse columnar structure. Of these, incomplete penetration was significantly associated with losses in strength.