Materials, Properties and Design

· The first stages of the compressor run at moderately elevated temperatures. Light/strong materials are still desirable, and titanium alloys are a good choice.
· Later high pressure compressor stages may require higher temperature nickel alloys.
· Titanium matrix - silicon carbide fiber composite materials improve the early stage material's (E/ρ).
· The photograph shows a single piece stage for a compressor ring fabricated from this metal matrix composite by Rolls-Royce

From: Aviation Week and Space Technology,
August 22 (1994)