Definition
Turbine blades in a gas turbine engine that have a small, flat extension formed on the outer tip. When the blades are installed in the turbine wheel, these tip extensions sit edge-to-edge and form a continuous ring around the outside of the blade row. This ring reduces gas leakage over the blade tips and dampens blade vibration.
Plain English
Turbine blades with a small cap on the end. When all the blades are in place, the caps line up and form a ring around the tips. The ring stops hot gases from slipping past the ends of the blades and helps steady the blades as they spin.
Context Anchor
Seen in turbine-engine construction, maintenance descriptions, and engine inspection discussions.
Derivation
A 'shroud' is a covering or protective enclosure -- the same word used for the cloth wrapped around a body or the housing around moving machinery. Here, the tips of the blades are 'shrouded' because their caps join together to form a protective ring around the outside of the blade row.
Why Pilots Care
These blades increase engine efficiency and reduce wear, supporting better performance and longer service life.
Analogy
Think of the shroud like a small rim at the end of a fan blade. It helps control the flow at the blade ends instead of letting energy spill around them.
Intuition Check
Shrouded does not mean the whole blade is hidden or enclosed. Here it means the blade tip has a built-on cover or cap.
Example Sentence 1
The high-pressure turbine in this engine uses shrouded-tip turbine blades to reduce gas leakage and improve efficiency.
Example Sentence 2
Shrouded-tip turbine blades are preferred in high-pressure stages to reduce tip losses.