Impact of NASA-Sponsored Research on Aircraft Turbine Engine Bearing Specifications,

An attempt is made to briefly review the aircraft engine bearing materials and to discuss some of the impact made from a cooperative and collaborative effort among parties involved, such as government agencies, academic communities, steel companies, research institutes, and usersaircraft engine manufacturers. NASAs impact on the GE bearing design and specifications has been mentioned as an example. Without this concentrated and coordinated effort, the success we are enjoying in current gas-turbine-engine technology would be impossible. This team approach is important and must be continued to advance technology, to achieve improved performance, and to achieve better efficiency and reliability.