What happens when there are cracks in swirl vanes?

The presence of cracks in swirl vanes is a critical concern in turbine engines due to their role in directing airflow and maintaining efficient combustion. When cracks are detected in these components, it often leads to a loss of structural integrity, which can severely impact engine performance and safety. The potential for cracks is taken very seriously because they can lead to further degradation or catastrophic failure if not addressed.

In standard procedures for turbine maintenance and safety, components with cracks typically undergo rigorous inspection processes, and if those cracks are significant, the components are deemed unfit for service. Therefore, component rejection is the required action to prevent any risk associated with compromised engine performance or reliability. This ensures that only those components that meet strict safety and operational standards are used in the engine assembly.