Welding Distortion Prediction and Process Optimization of Turbine Component by Electron Beam Welding

Abstract

A turbine component with 130 blades requests high dimensional precision to ensure the assembly requirements. The dimensional precision is significantly influenced by welding distortion. In this research work, welding distortion in the turbine component by electron beam welding was predicted through elastic finite element method based on inherent strain theory. The inherent strains of single blade welding joints with different welding process and fix condition were obtained through thermal elastic plastic finite element method calculation. The simulation results indicated coherence between the predicted and measured distortion value. The final welding distortion of turbine component in different assembly sequences were compared, by utilizing the inherent deformations of optimized single blade welding joints simulation. An optimized welding procedure and assembly sequence was proposed to reduce the welding distortion. The results verify that 180-degree symmetrical welding can significantly reduce the plastic deformation.