The proposal consisted of developing an alternative solution to the existing LPT blade on the Geared Turbo Fan made of cast nickel based alloy by transcending the work fundamentally performed on the TNM Gamma TiAl alloy.

This proposal was beyond the state of the art and was based on innovative isothermal forging process, advanced tooling devices, specific heat treatments and an optimized near net shape geometry.

Bringing together these conditions was mandatory to meet the engine manufacturer requirements in terms of microstructure and associated mechanical properties but also to target the cost challenge in the scope of a mass production activity.

Following RTD and Demonstration activities were to be performed through the project :

• development of isothermal forging process parameters;
• development of innovative toolings for the isothermal forging process;
• development of optimized billet and blade designs for the isothermal forging process;
• test hardware manufacturing.