Stories

Fri, 06 Nov 2026

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 The engine parts that 'fight the laws of the universe'

Investment has surged into the making of jet turbine blades - an extremely difficult component to make.

*The blades are made from molten metal alloy, which is cooled slowly and carefully to create a single crystal or grain of metal.
*This process is extremely challenging and only a handful of companies around the world can produce single crystal turbine blades.
*The demand for these blades is huge, with engine-makers vying for access to the technology.
*Rolls-Royce, GE, and Safran are among the few firms that have perfected the process, which involves using a "pigtail" or spiral at one end of the blade to control the cooling process.
*The blades are essential for ensuring the performance of aircraft engines and are used in planes such as the Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787.
*China is trying to master the technology, but Western manufacturers have a huge advantage due to their long safety records and established supply chains.