Kristal

Through the KRİSTAL project—a project aimed at developing nickel-based superalloy materials and production processes for the aviation industry, which began in 2015 under the terms of a signed contract—Türkiye has acquired the capability to produce precision-cast turbine blades using single-crystal and directional solidification techniques for indigenous aviation engines, utilizing domestic and national resources.

Thanks to the KRİSTAL project, turbine blades—which operate at high temperatures and are the most critical component of the turbine module—are produced from nickel-based superalloys using single-crystal and directional solidification casting processes. Following the casting process, heat treatment and thermal barrier coating technologies are applied to ensure the turbine blades can operate at high temperatures without losing strength; production is completed with root machining and the drilling of cooling holes.

The KRİSTAL project, supported by the Secretariat of Defense Industries (SSB), was carried out under the leadership of TEI as the prime contractor, with Gur Metal and the TÜBİTAK MAM Materials Institute serving as subcontractors, covering the design, process development, prototype manufacturing, and testing and validation phases. The project was successfully completed in 2021.

The knowledge and expertise gained through the KRİSTAL Project continue to be used to meet the requirements of ongoing indigenous engine projects, leveraging domestic capabilities.