Novosibirsk scientists test world’s first all-aluminium aircraft engine: Source says

Novosibirsk State Technical University scientists have reportedly tested the world’s first internal-combustion engine fully made of aluminium and weighing about 200 kg. Ilya Zverkov, Professor of the Aircraft-and Helicopter-Making Chair at the University’s Aircraft Faculty, told TASS on January 28 that the test results would help the scientists to design a smaller engine.

"During the trials, flaws were detected in the engine’s design and, considering these faults, we will design a new engine smaller by its dimensions. We do not give up the basic ideas and the task is to obtain the stated characteristics by the [engine’s] capacity and firmness," Zverkov said, adding that the improved engine would be designed and tested in the summer of this year.

The use of aluminium in place of steel has lowered the engine’s weight by 30 per cent to 40 per cent and raised the engine’s rated capacity to 400 horsepower. Fuel consumption, on the other hand, has dropped by 15 per cent owing to the use of aluminium.

Scientists have employed the plasma-electrolytic oxidation technology, under which aluminium parts are treated by plasma discharges. This results in a thin layer of aluminium oxide known as the corundum forming on the surface of an aluminium item. The corundum is known for its high firmness and melting temperature that has made possible to replace steel items in the engine.

Per the report, Novosibirsk State Technical University has received scientific and technical assistance from the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics at the Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and financial help from the Domestic Aviation Revival Fund for this development.

As the University’s press office reports, all the basic details of the new engine will be cast in aluminium in Novosibirsk. This will allow using the engine on aircraft of the Russian Air Force.