Creuziger, A.
, Chemello, C.
, Mardikian, P.
and Alexander, J.
(2024),
Metallurgical Analysis and Conservation of Turbine Blades from Recovered Apollo F-1 Engines, Studies in Conservation, [online], https://doi.org/10.1080/00393630.2024.2303891, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=936021
(Accessed October 7, 2025)
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Metallurgical Analysis and Conservation of Turbine Blades from Recovered Apollo F-1 Engines
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Author(s)
, Claudia Chemello, Paul Mardikian, Jerrad Alexander
Abstract
Turbine blades from a recovered F-1 engine from the Apollo 16 Saturn V rocket were examined to determine an appropriate conservation protocol. Significant corrosion damage was observed in the turbine blades which appear to be made of a nickel based ' superalloy. Pitting corrosion appears to have breached the surface of the turbine blades, and subsequently a form of dealloying corrosion preferentially attacked the ' phase, leaving behind a thin network of interconnected phase. The particular alloy used for these turbine blades does not appear to be a known production alloy and may have been developed specifically for use in the F-1 rocket engines, with an increased concentration of refractory (Mo, Nb) elemental additions. The analytical results confirmed the severe loss of density of the blades and helped conservators determine a suitable treatment protocol for more than 400 blades and 100 fragments from four recovered turbines.Citation
Studies in Conservation
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Created March 4, 2024, Updated May 10, 2024