Failure of a dampening pin

Abstract

Abstract As revealed by an inspection of hot gas path components, a dampening pin for the stage 4 moving blades of an industrial gas turbine for power plant applications brake in the summer of 2003. The failure mode of the fractured pin was high cycle fatigue. The root cause of the failure was probably a combination of the dynamic service load and an increased notch effect caused by an increased surface roughness of the pin. In the case of the notch-sensitive material Udimet 720, this was detrimental to the fatigue limit. The measured surface roughness of the failed part was out of specification and traceable to the use of non-OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) components. High temperature corrosion did not seem to have played a significant role in the failure mechanism.