Hot Tearing in an Investment Cast Burner Swirler

Abstract The damage case dealt with in the present work relates to a generally less common manufacturing defect that was discovered during its installation. The part was sourced from a supplier. An installation of the defective part in a large gas turbine engine used for energy generation could thus be prevented. The defect, a solidification crack, could have been repaired by welding and the component could have been used for operation. Instead, it was subjected to destructive examinations aiming at identifying what caused the crack. As the component could not possibly perform its function prior to being repaired by welding we are, in any event, talking about a damage case. The solidification crack initiated at a site of oxide infiltration. It was thus clearly a casting defect. The respective supplier was advised to reduce the content of non-metallic inclusions by the use of ceramic filters when the material is poured into the shell mold and a better control of the vacuum in the casting furnace.