Jet engines run at temperatures well above the melting point of their metal parts, yet they stay intact thanks to a blend of high‐performance nickel‐based superalloys, precisely controlled crystal structures (including single‐crystal turbine blades), internal cooling channels and thermal barrier coatings. These engineering marvels minimize weak grain boundaries, lock up dislocations with gamma′ precipitates and shunt heat away before it can do damage.
In the video, we get a crash course on how jet engines work, why they’re so massive, and the history of the first engines. We tour Rolls-Royce’s precision casting facility to see how blades are made, learn about edge dislocations and crystal growth animations, and discover how sand ingestion, material science and clever design combine to keep turbine blades cool under extreme conditions.
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