Ever wondered how jet engines survive insanely hot temperatures without melting? This Veritasium episode dives into the anatomy of a jet engine—from its early history and massive compressor stages to the combustion chamber—and shows how cutting-edge nickel-based superalloys (thanks to gamma prime precipitates) and single-crystal turbine blades made via precision casting keep everything intact at temperatures well over 1,000 °C.
Along the way, Derek Muller tours a Rolls-Royce facility, breaks down dislocations and crystal structures with expert animations, and even throws sand into a running engine to see what really happens. It’s a thrilling blend of materials science, engineering wizardry, and real-world tests that explains exactly why jet engines don’t just melt away.
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