Blade Attachment Slots

Blade attachment slots are precisely machined grooves or recesses on the periphery of a rotor disk in turbomachinery (such as gas turbines, steam turbines, or compressors). These slots are designed to securely hold and position turbine or compressor blades, transferring centrifugal and aerodynamic loads from the blades to the disk while maintaining precise alignment and allowing for thermal expansion. They are critical for rotor assembly integrity and aerodynamic performance.

The slots mechanically interlock with the blade roots (e.g., fir-tree, dovetail, or T-root designs) to transfer loads. During operation, centrifugal forces push the blade roots into the slot, creating a tight fit that distributes stress. The slot geometry ensures proper blade angle and spacing for optimal fluid dynamics, while allowing for differential thermal expansion between the disk and blades to prevent binding or excessive stress.