Why Don’t Jet Engines Melt?

Jet turbines roar at temperatures hotter than the melting point of their own metal, yet they stay solid thanks to supercharged materials and clever design. By using nickel-based superalloys packed with strengthening gamma-prime precipitates, precision casting single-crystal blades, and carving internal cooling channels, engineers keep those spinning blades from literally turning to mush. Throw on a ceramic thermal barrier coating and the turbines can handle 2,000°F+ heat without losing shape.

Along the way you get a whirlwind tour of how a jet engine actually works, a peek inside Rolls-Royce’s casting facility, and bite-size lessons on edge dislocations, crystal structures, and the very first Whittle engine. With expert interviews, slick animations, and a dash of history, the video breaks down the science that stops jet engines from melting mid-flight.

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