Liburdi developed and introduced FSR® Full Solution Rejuvenation® technology for the industrial gas turbine industry in the early 1980’s
These specialized heat treatments were designed to restore the original metallurgical properties and strength of turbine blades that had been exposed to long hours at high operating temperatures. The heat treatments developed by Liburdi are successful at enabling sets of turbine blades to achieve extended service or a “second life” – hence the term Rejuvenation was coined by Joe Liburdi in 1980.
Liburdi was the pioneer in this practice and has developed rejuvenation heat treat cycles for virtually all of the common blading alloys (eg. IN738, IN939, U500, U520, MarM002, MarM247, N115, N105, N108, A286, GTD111+DS, Rene80+DS), including the new DS directionally solidified cast blades. During this 30 year history, Liburdi has successfully rejuvenated over 100,000 blades using the proprietary FSR® process, and has a track record of consistently reliable operation of these blades.
Recently some other suppliers are offering recovery heat treatments that reach partial solution temperatures and only partially recondition the alloy.
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Before Rejuvenation (20,000x Magnification)
Alloy Microstructure after 24,000 hours service.
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After FSR® Rejuvenation (20,000x Magnification)
Alloy Microstructure restored to original condition, strength and properties.
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Since Liburdi is restoring the original micro-structure of the alloy, we are able to re-certify each blade set in the same way that new parts are certified. To do this sample material of the same alloy (usually a scrap blade from the same set) is included in all heat treatments that the set receives. The sample material is then metallurgically re-certified by examining the micro-structure and performing creep strength testing (stress rupture bars) which must meet or exceed the original material acceptance specifications for new parts.
Sets of blades that are routinely limited to 48,000 hours by the OEM have been able to be reliably operated to 100,000 - 120,000+ hours of service by applying proven FSR® Rejuvenation processes at the time of repair. Only Liburdi has proven FSR® heat treated blades in service for some 20+ years and full service intervals after rejuvenation.
For more information on this enabling technology refer to the Frequently Asked Questions sheet