Failure analysis of compressor blades of an aeroengine

Four damaged compressor blades belonging to the aero engine of an aeroengine were analyzed. Analysis showed that the damages on the blades were caused due to impact of a small, solid and soft mass on the concave side. Compositional analysis of the grazed regions on the concave surface of the blades in the vicinity of the dent marks/cracked regions revealed presence of significant quantities of foreign elements such as Na, P and Cl in addition to the base material of the blade. Based on the debris and stain marks present on the damaged regions of the blades, and the compositional analysis, it appears that the blades had Foreign Object Damage (FOD) as a result of impact of a soft mass of organic nature similar to a small bird or a big insect