Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 620 Jet Propulsion Development, Battle of Changsha Begins, Soviet Air Force Volunteer Group Invites...

The plane landed at the base airport in northern Myanmar.

After disembarking, Fang Wen immediately went to the Taishan Research Institute and convened a meeting with the members of the turbine aero-engine project team.

Because the research project is too advanced, there are not many participants in this project team, and many of them are still working in other project teams.

For example, Jiang Wenjin from the rocket project team and Huo Duanyang from the military chemistry research team.

At the start of the meeting, Fang Wen directly recounted what he had learned from Europe.

“I went to Europe this time and signed a technical cooperation agreement. Although the technical data has not been formally exchanged yet, I have also discovered some problems in our current research. For example, the cooling structure of turbine blades, I now know how to improve it.”

The project team members were immediately overjoyed.

As a key component of the turbine section of a turbine engine, turbine blades undertake a core task: to guide high-temperature and high-pressure airflow into the combustor through high-speed rotation, thereby ensuring the continuous and stable operation of the engine.

The blades currently used in the Taishan turbine engine cannot operate reliably for a long time under extreme conditions of high temperature and high pressure.

This is something Fang Wen did not mention at the signing ceremony of the technology cooperation agreement, and it is also a major shortcoming of Taishan Military Industry in jet engine research.

(Structure diagram of a turbojet engine)

Fang Wen continued, “The material of our existing turbine blades is different from that of the aerodynamics company, and we need to replace it with a better high-temperature alloy. Currently, the aerodynamics company uses Nimonic 75, a high-temperature alloy developed for them by Mond Nickel. However, the formula for this alloy is top secret in the UK, and I cannot obtain it. Therefore, we need to find a similar high-temperature alloy formula as a substitute from other sources.”

After a pause, Fang Wen continued, "In addition to the blade material, we also need to use a variety of cooling methods—such as internal airflow cooling, boundary layer cooling, or applying a protective thermal barrier coating to the blade surface. These designs work together to resist the effects of harsh operating conditions."

He started the discussion, and the jet engine project team members began to talk.

Jiang Wenjin: "High-temperature alloys are currently a research and development area for many countries. I also learned about this when I was abroad. In fact, there are some similar alloy formulas in Europe and the United States, but they are not used in engines, but in other industries. Perhaps we can start from this point, purchase a batch of high-temperature alloy samples globally, and then find the suitable ones."

This is a good direction, Fang Wen continued, preparing to hand it over to the headquarters of Taishan Airlines for execution, and to collect information on high-temperature resistant alloys through its branches in Europe and the United States.

The discussion then shifted to other cooling methods.

Everyone brainstormed and prepared to approach the issue from multiple angles simultaneously to find a suitable cooling method.

Fang Wen decided to join the project team to work together on the technical challenges.

For three consecutive days, Fang Wen stayed in the laboratory, working with the other members of the project team to study how to improve the engine.

After trying several methods, Fang Wen suddenly discovered that Taishan Military Industry actually had a technological reserve that could be applied to improve the high-temperature resistant structure of turbine engines.

That is the high-temperature resistant ceramic liner originally developed to improve the high-temperature resistance of the rocket's oscillating nozzle system.

If this technology can be used on rockets, why can't it be used on turbine engines?
Subsequently, Fang Wen boldly made technical improvements to the turbine engine.

Using the special sintering technology mastered by Taishan Military Industry, a ceramic coating is produced on the surface of the alloy.

To address this, two technicians from Jingdezhen were transferred from the rocket project team to begin experimenting.

Time passed little by little.

Fang Wen, immersed in the process of technological research, was unaware of the passage of time.

With his special abilities, he can better understand the structure and performance of equipment and make a clear judgment on the quality of materials.

He selected samples of high-temperature resistant alloys purchased from abroad, which were then transported by airline flights.

Chromium-molybdenum steel, nickel-chromium steel, and high-silicon cast iron were the first materials to be ruled out, as they are mainly suitable for medium and high temperature environments and corrosion resistance, and do not meet Fang Wen's requirements.

Nickel-chromium-molybdenum steel and high-manganese steel, which are used for high-pressure cylinder casings in steam turbines of warships and cylinder liners in diesel engines, are also unsuitable.

Nickel-chromium heating alloys are currently the "standardized" high-temperature heating materials, with a heat resistance temperature of 900-1100℃. Although the upper limit is high, the material cannot be used in the high centrifugal force environment of aero engines.

High-alumina cast iron is used for continuous annealing furnace rollers, high-temperature conveyor belt supports, and steel mill casting molds; it can withstand temperatures of 800-900℃. As with the above, this won't work.

The remaining high-chromium steel and nickel-copper alloys also failed to meet Fang Wen's requirements.

He wanted high-quality alloy materials that were resistant to high temperatures and centrifugal forces, and lightweight.

Is there no good alternative material in this era?

Fang Wen couldn't help but feel a headache coming on, unwilling to let the development of jet engines be stuck on high-temperature resistant materials.

Then, a refrigerated ship from the United States arrived, bringing with it a new batch of samples.

With hope, Fang Wen retested the batch of samples.

As each sample was tested, Fang Wen gradually became somewhat depressed.

He picked up a small metal cube and placed it into the electrothermal detector to continue.

As the temperature rose, his supernatural ability suddenly revealed that this metal was quite different from others.

The temperature pointer of the electric heating detector slowly climbed from 600℃ to 700℃, and then to 800℃. Fang Wen stared at the metal block in the detection window, his fingertips slightly tense from his focus.

The disappointment from the previous batches of samples made him almost think that the same thing would happen again—until the moment his superpower touched the inside of the metal, his pupils suddenly contracted, and his previously tense shoulders involuntarily relaxed.

"Something's wrong..."

Fang Wen leaned closer to the detector, and his supernatural ability clearly captured the state of the metal cube: at 850℃, its grain boundaries did not loosen at all, the "high-temperature creep" signs that were common on other alloys had completely disappeared, and the formation rate of the surface oxide film was even nearly half that of nickel-chromium alloy.

He immediately stopped heating, put on gloves, used tweezers to remove the metal block, and turned it over to check the sample label—a line of small English inscription came into view: "Vitallium Alloy, US Austenal Lab, 1938 Batch".

“Vitallium…cobalt-based alloy?” Fang Wen quickly recalled the materials manual he had consulted in London, but this high-temperature resistant material was not mentioned in the manual.

To learn more about it, Fang Wen immediately telegraphed the United States to inquire about more details.

The United States quickly sent a telegram explaining that this material is used in dentistry and orthopedics as a surgical repair material.

It can be said that it has been used in medicine ever since it was developed.

However, because the technical data indicated that it had high-temperature resistance, the US branch collected and shipped it over.

Now, Fang Wen believes that this medical material may be a crucial hurdle for Taishan Military Industry to achieve its jet aircraft development goals.

He then returned to the lab to continue his research.

The metal block was fixed on the mechanical testing machine, and the parameters recorded by the instrument were displayed: the yield strength was 360 MPa at room temperature and 210 MPa at 800℃, which was close to his desired requirements.

More importantly, in the centrifugal force test simulating turbine blades at 12000 r/min, the deformation rate of the metal block was only 0.03%, which fully meets the requirements of high-speed rotation.

"Jiang Wenjin, Huo Duanyang, come quick!"

Fang Wen's voice broke the silence of the laboratory.

Jiang Wenjin and Huo Duanyang, who were debugging the cooling device, immediately came over. When they saw the parameters on the testing machine, both of them showed a look of shock.

"It can maintain such high strength at 800℃?" Jiang Wenjin analyzed, "It's a little worse than the Nimonic 75 prototype material we tried before, but it's the best we have so far."

Huo Duanyang stared at the oxide film sample, his brows furrowing slightly: "This CrO film on the surface is very dense and uniform in thickness, so its corrosion resistance should be quite good. The reason our blades used to have problems was because the oxide film peeled off at high temperatures, causing the alloy substrate to be corroded by the combustion gases. If this material could be used on the blades, it could at least solve half of the lifespan problem."

Fang Wen nodded: "I've checked the information. This is a cobalt-based alloy developed by Austenal Laboratories in the United States. It was originally used for dental prostheses and orthopedic implants. It contains 65% cobalt, 30% chromium, 5% molybdenum, and a small amount of carbon. No one had thought of it for aircraft engines before, but the test data doesn't lie—its heat resistance and mechanical strength can just make up for our shortcomings. However, I think its alloy formula needs to be adjusted, perhaps to achieve better high-temperature resistance. As long as the high-temperature resistance can reach 1000℃, the surface ceramic coating can be sintered."

Jiang Wenjin and Huo Duanyang were very interested in this accidentally discovered alloy material and immediately requested that they conduct a review and test.

Fang Wen agreed.

He handed the materials to the two men and left the lab.

His mind, however, was filled with thoughts about new materials.

The fact that this material has not yet been discovered does not mean that it will not be used in aircraft engines in the future.

Perhaps in the future, the United States will use this material in its turbojet engines.

The probability is very high.

In that case, he had to seize the initiative and acquire this technology no matter the cost. He immediately telegraphed the United States, issuing the order.

New York, USA.

Taishan International Office Building.

Lin Shuiwang looked at the telegram from headquarters forwarded by the European branch and showed surprise.

[Acquire the Vitallium alloy formula and subsequent research rights at any cost; if possible, acquire the Austenal laboratory.]

This is a very strong tone that the general manager rarely uses.

This shows that the general manager values ​​this item highly.

Lin Shuiwang immediately took action.

Through his research, he discovered that Austenal Laboratory, located in Chicago, is a professional organization dedicated to the research and development of dental and medical implant materials.

The alloys they studied were described as "biocompatible metals".

When Lin Shuiwang went to negotiate the technology acquisition, he was turned away; the other party was not interested at all.

Lin Shuiwang then sent the information back by telegram.

Yangon.

Fang Wen is seeing off a newly purchased refrigerated meat shipment at the port.

Ribbon-cutting, firecrackers, and lion dances—it was a festive occasion.

Amidst the farewells of the company and local overseas Chinese, employees of Taishan Meat Trading Company, along with the captain and sailors, boarded the refrigerated ship, sounded the horn, and set sail for Australia and New Zealand.

Watching the massive refrigerated ship sail away, Fang Wen turned and left the port, driving back to headquarters.

As soon as he returned to the office, his assistant Zhao Junping brought him a telegram: "General Manager, a call from the US branch."

Fang Wen immediately took the telegram and checked it.

[Austenal Laboratories rejected a technology acquisition offer, with their shareholders stating that the technology is fundamental to the lab.]

Aren't you selling your technology?

Fang Wen's thoughts.

In the United States, the dental industry was emerging in the 1930s, and companies that provided medical materials to dentists were very popular.

It's equivalent to a future high-tech company.

but.

The dental industry in the United States is not very large right now, after all, the Great Depression has just passed and many Americans do not have the money to pay for dental care.

Taishan International is a US-listed company with a huge market capitalization and multiple consistently profitable projects.

Perhaps there is a way to acquire the Austenal Laboratory without spending any money.

He then sent a telegram to the United States.

Lin Shuiwang, who received the telegram, was still in Chicago.

After reading the contents of the telegram, Lin Shuiwang showed a strange expression.

The general manager always does things in such an unconventional way, and he felt that the other party would find it hard to refuse the methods he used this time.

He then led his men to the Austenal laboratory again.

Because their previous technology acquisition attempt was rejected, the other party's attitude was somewhat cold this time.

Lin Shuiwang didn't mind and directly presented his conditions.

“We, Taishan International, are willing to use five percent of our shares in the transaction, on the condition that we acquire your company in its entirety.”

The head of the Austenal lab was somewhat bewildered.

Technology acquisition and overall acquisition are not the same thing.

He dared not make a hasty decision, so he immediately picked up the phone to notify the laboratory's shareholders.

The shareholders rushed over and negotiated with Lin Shuiwang.

First, they want to know how much their business is worth.

After all, the shareholders are businessmen, and as long as the money is right, they don't mind taking profits and exiting early.

Lin Shuiwang replied, "We are a listed company, and our market value can be checked at any time. You can get the acquisition price by multiplying the market value by five percent."

The shareholders immediately contacted brokerage firms in New York in their own way and quickly obtained the information they wanted.

Today, Taishan International owns two projects: shipping and Taishan Resort in Las Vegas.

Shipping is the company's original core business, and now, with the economic recovery, the stock prices of shipping companies are also rising.

However, the value of Taishan International lies more in the Taishan Resort in Las Vegas.

The ever-popular Paradise Casino continues to attract people, transforming it from a gathering place for gamblers into a family travel paradise for the West Coast and surrounding areas.

Many families consider going there a reward for their lives.

As the only publicly traded gaming company on the New York Stock Exchange, Taishan International's stock has been rising.

Based on current value, five percent of the shares would be equivalent to $200 million.

This price has far exceeded the expectations of the laboratory's shareholders.

Immediately, the shareholders expressed their willingness to sell their shares.

Now that the initiative was in Lin Shuiwang's hands, he was no longer in a hurry. He slowly said, "There are restrictions on acquiring your laboratory with shares. Condition 1: Your shares cannot be sold within one year. Condition 2: You cannot transfer any technology owned by the laboratory, nor can you use it privately. Violators will be compensated with shares of equal value."

These two conditions made the shareholders hesitate.

But faced with such an attractive price, they agreed.

Taishan International acquired Austenal Laboratory, thus gaining full ownership of the intellectual property rights to Vitallium alloy, as well as the right to conduct further research and development.

Following the acquisition, the laboratory's researchers received instructions regarding new research directions.

They were asked to conduct further research and development on the existing Vitallium alloy, and all the research and development conditions had been set.

Although the researchers did not understand this requirement, they were encouraged by both high salaries and bonuses and began to work overtime to improve the alloy formula.

It was already late September.

The fighting in various parts of China has slowed down, with the main battlefields concentrated in Hunan.

The First Battle of Changsha was underway.

Faced with the fierce offensive of the Japanese army and continuous air raids, the National Army is putting up a tenacious resistance.

And what about the air support from the National Army?

Due to frequent Japanese air raids on Chongqing, the Nationalist Air Force was unable to spare the resources to be on alert and intercept Japanese aircraft.

The only Chinese air force participating in the Battle of Changsha at that time was the Soviet Volunteer Group.

The Soviets weren't afraid of offending anyone; they sent Fang Wen a telegram inviting him to fight alongside them.

(End of this chapter)