What was a significant limitation of early gas turbines?

The significant limitation of early gas turbines was related to the materials used in their construction and how they responded to the high temperatures and stresses of operation. Early gas turbines operated at elevated temperatures to achieve greater efficiency and power output. However, the alloys and metals available at the time could not withstand these extreme temperatures for prolonged periods. This limitation meant that the components, particularly in the combustion section and turbine blades, would experience deformation, degradation, or failure, limiting the overall performance and reliability of the gas turbine.

Advancements in metallurgy and material science have since developed superalloys and thermal barrier coatings that allow modern gas turbines to operate at much higher temperatures safely and more efficiently, overcoming the challenges faced by their predecessors.