What is the structure of turbine blades?

What is the structure of a turbine blade? Turbine blades are key components in aircraft engines and gas turbines, and their structural design directly impacts engine performance, efficiency, and lifespan. Generally speaking, a turbine blade consists of three parts: the blade root, the blade body, and the shroud.

The blade root connects the blade to the rotor and is primarily responsible for withstanding strong centrifugal forces and mechanical loads. To ensure robustness, a fir-tree or dovetail joint is typically used, precisely mating with the rotor disc to maintain structural integrity at tens of thousands of revolutions per minute.

The blade body, the primary operating area, features a three-dimensional curved and twisted shape that guides high-temperature combustion gases at optimal angles, improving energy conversion efficiency. Cooling channels are often incorporated into the blade body to prevent high-temperature damage to the material.

The shroud, located at the top of the blade, reduces airflow leakage and improves overall efficiency. Some designs also incorporate sealing or heat shielding.