Why Don’t Jet Engines Melt?

Ever wondered why jet engines don’t turn into molten metal? Veritasium breaks down everything from the giant compressor fans to the insane temperatures in the combustion chamber, revealing how super-strong nickel alloys, single-crystal turbine blades, and clever internal cooling channels keep an engine from turning into a volcano. You’ll get edge dislocation 101, a peek inside Rolls-Royce’s precision-casting facility, and a quick history of the first jet engine.

Packed with interviews from Rolls-Royce engineers and top materials-science professors, plus jaw-dropping animations of crystal structures and blade casting, this episode shows how cutting-edge metallurgy keeps us flying at Mach speeds. Big thanks to KiwiCo, Science Alert, the VE team, and all the experts and Patreon supporters who made this deep dive possible.

Watch on YouTube