Surface Defects in Engine Parts: A Polish Engineer's Views on the Effect of Surface Finish upon the Life of an Aero‐Engine Available to Purchase

AN exceedingly careful control of the surface of aero‐engine parts has beyond doubt become an excellent habit both with manufacturers and those who are to use the engine. A crack on a new part, or one which will cause a fatigue failure in work—these are the defects looked for by inspectors during manufacture, overhaul, or repairs. Cracks are very frequent causes of accidents and this fear often underlies the rejection of parts which are only suspect but which might work quite well until normal wear and tear would cause them to exceed permissible tolerances. In many cases, electro‐magnetic examination or etching reveal defects on the surface of engine parts which cannot be defined: in such cases, for the sake of certainty the part is rejected on the ground that it is cracked or made from faulty material.