A leading engineer from one of the UEC branches, Almaz Miniakhmetov, developed a friction welding technology that formed the basis of the PD-35 aircraft engine demonstrator, capable of replacing two PS-90A1s on long-range airliners and heavy transport aircraft. This was reported by "Vechernyaya Moskva."
The PD-35 is being created for promising wide-body aircraft, including the modernized Il-96-400M. Two such engines can completely replace four PS-90A1s, reducing weight and increasing the service life of the power plant. Miniakhmetov explained that the technology is based on the rapid rotation of one part while tightly pressing the second: friction creates a high temperature in the contact zone, forming a strong welded joint without loss of strength. This is a key factor for the durability and reliability of aircraft engines.
The PD-35 demonstrator project was the result of the work of a young NIID team, whose average age is about 30 years. The task was strategic: to lay down new characteristics in the engine, which will determine the development of Russian civil aviation for the coming decades. Miniakhmetov noted that only five countries in the world have the competence to produce aircraft engines, which emphasizes the importance of the project.
The technical characteristics of the PD-35 include high thrust and increased service life with reduced weight of parts, which ensures efficiency for wide-body aircraft and heavy aviation. The leading engineer emphasized that friction welding technology allows for bold engineering solutions without compromising reliability and durability.
At the Advanced Engineering School "Engines of the Future" of the Ufa University of Science and Technology (UUNiT), they completed the development of an integrated starter-generator for promising Russian aircraft engines PD-26 and PD-35.