GTRE Seeks Retired Defence Personnel's Help in Critical Material Characterization and Testing Activities for Aeroengine Materials

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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.
The retired personnel will be involved in various aspects of the testing process, from ensuring the availability and compatibility of test specimens to setting up and operating the testing machines, accurately recording results, and maintaining meticulous documentation for traceability.

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.
 
If only former ex-servicemen were trained in steel, copper, zinc, aluminum, nickel, and gold factories and workshops, skilled as technicians and engineers by foreign OEMs on the latest machines, and then retained for a minimum of 20 to 30 years by GTRE or encouraged to open private companies on retirement.
 
The bigger issue is GTRE need significant additions to testing facilities. They have asking for years but they are saddled with old and insufficient testing facilities and equipment. These band aid solutions mean nothing.
 
You may get better result by involving academia including universities and technocal colleges into the program, like US does and USSR used to do.

It gives you access to a much larger pool of talent and create new impetus for learning at universities.
 
The bigger issue is GTRE need significant additions to testing facilities. They have asking for years but they are saddled with old and insufficient testing facilities and equipment. These band aid solutions mean nothing.
They have enough testing facilities. What they lack is knowledge, experience and technical skills.
 
It makes sense to use ex servicemen to help so that they can conduct the necessary tests that’s needed and to operate their equipment and machines. They can also offer advice, knowledge, expertise and experience to younger scientists or technicians etc.
 
In fact, GTRE should recruit retired top NRI professionals with the expertise in engine development, with long and direct involvement in such projects from companies like GE, Pratt and Whitney, Rolls Royce etc. to assist with and fast track Kaveri engine project and making it the Indian F-414.

THIS SHOULD BE DONE AT WAR FOOTING.
 

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