Lifeboat Foundation

ORNL’s breakthrough boosts 3D-printed turbine blades, reducing carbon emissions.

Researchers have made significant efforts to enable additively manufactured turbine blades to better handle extreme temperatures. They have developed and 3D printed the lightest crack-free alloy capable of operating without melting at temperatures above 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit.

The milestone was achieved by researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).

The alloy is expected to enable additively manufactured turbine blades to effectively handle extreme temperatures and reduce the carbon footprint of gas turbine engines such as those used in airplanes.