The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a leading laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is tapping into the expertise of retired defence personnel to advance its aeroengine development efforts.
Under the Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR)-Technical scheme, GTRE plans to engage retired personnel from the Army, Air Force, or Navy to assist in crucial material characterization and testing activities.
These experienced professionals will play a vital role in evaluating the properties of materials used in aeroengines, such as titanium alloys, nickel-based superalloys, and specialized steels.
Their responsibilities will encompass a range of mechanical tests conducted under diverse operating conditions, utilizing advanced equipment like universal testing machines, creep testing machines, and impact testing machines.
The scope of testing includes:
- Tensile tests: Measuring the material's resistance to being pulled apart.
- Fatigue tests: Evaluating how the material withstands repeated loading and unloading cycles.
- Creep tests: Assessing material behaviour under constant load at high temperatures.
- Stress rupture tests: Determining the time it takes for a material to fail under stress at elevated temperatures.
- Impact tests: Assessing the material's ability to absorb energy during sudden impact.
In addition to mechanical testing, these professionals will also assist in heat treatment operations. This involves planning and executing the extraction of samples, operating heat treatment furnaces, performing precise heat treatment procedures, and maintaining comprehensive records.
They will ensure the traceability of specimens throughout the heat treatment process, which is crucial for achieving consistent material properties and ensuring component integrity.
This initiative not only leverages the technical expertise and disciplined approach 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 strengthening India's indigenous aeroengine development capabilities and promoting self-reliance in critical defence technologies.
