Considerations of Technology Transfer Barriers in the Modification of Strategic Superalloys for Aircraft Turbine Engines

摘要

A typical innovation-to-commercialization process for the development of a new hot section gas turbine material requires one to two decades with attendant costs in the tens of millions of dollars. This transfer process is examined to determine the potential rate-controlling steps for introduction of future low strategic metal content alloys or processes. Case studies are used to highlight the barriers to commercialization as well as to identify the means by which these barriers can be surmounted. The opportunities for continuing joint government-university-industry partnerships in planning and conducting strategic materials R&D programs are also discussed.