Design of high-temperature environment simulation device for aero-engine casing

Purpose To address the requirement for long-duration and uniform heating of the aero-engine casing specimen in the thermo-mechanical coupling test, the design of high-temperature environment simulation device was developed using a simple and cost-effective heating wire heating method. Design/methodology/approach Based on engineering experience, the initial heating scheme for the specimen was determined, which was then simulated by the finite element method and finally validated through experiments for its feasibility. Joule heating effect was employed to achieve coupling between the electrical and thermal fields, thereby achieving their interaction by finite element simulation. The wound heating wire was modeled by an equivalent method. Radiation and convection were considered the primary heat transfer mechanisms, and the influence of electrical current parameters on the heating effect was investigated. By integrating simulation and experimental verification, the heating scheme was further optimized. Findings The results show that the finite element method can accurately predict the heating effect of the heating wire. Uniform and long-duration heating of engine casing can be achieved by regulating the current. The initial heating design meets the test requirements, while the optimized scheme yields a temperature field with better uniformity. Originality/value An equivalent three-dimensional model of the wound heating wire was established, which provides an efficient and accurate prediction method for the high-temperature environment simulation device with heating wire and lays a solid foundation for the thermo-mechanical coupling finite element simulation.