Assessment of Technical Condition Demonstrated by Gas Turbine Blades by Processing of Images for Their Surfaces / Oceny Stanu Łopatek Turbiny Gazowej Metodą Przetwarzania Obrazów Ich Powierzchni

Abstract The paper presents a non-destructive test method that makes it possible to assess condition of gas turbine blades based on the analysis of their images acquired in visible light. The results of high temperature’s influence on the condition of blades are revealed. The direct relationship between the temperatures of blades and discoloration of their surfaces is demonstrated. These relationships have been found out by the analysis of images in the form of first order statistical parameters derived wherefrom. The studies revealed alterations of the blade superalloy microstructures entailed by the effect of high temperature, hence the results in the form of first order statistical parameters could be correlated against alterations of the blade superalloy microstructures. Eventually, the variations of first order statistical parameters as well as variations of the blade superalloy microstructures could be determined as the functions of temperature. These relationships make it possible to assess how much the alloy microstructure is altered due to high temperature merely by discoloration of the blade surface. The innovative method can be used for in-flight evaluation of the superalloy overheating for gas turbine blades in operation.