Rub tolerance evaluation of two sintered NiCrAl gas path seal materials
Two strength level variations of sintered NiCrAl (about 40 percent dense), candidate high pressure turbine seal materials, were subject to rub tolerance testing against AM 355 steel blade tips. The high strength material (17 N/sq mm tensile strength) showed frictional and radial loads that were 20 to 50 percent higher than those measured for the low strength material (15.5 N/ sq mm tensile strength). Measured wear to the AM 355 blade tips was not significantly different for the two sintered NiCrAl seal materials. Wear of the sintered NiCrAl was characterized by material removal to a depth greater than the depth to which blade tips were driven into the seal, indicating self-erosion effects.