Mechanical and thermal properties of RE4Hf3O12 (RE=Ho,Er, Tm) ceramics with defect fluorite structure

The thermal and environmental barrier coatings (T/EBC) are technologically important for advanced propulsion engine system. In this study, RE₄Hf₃O₁₂ (RE=Ho, Er, Tm) with defect fluorite structure was investigated for potential use as top TBC layer. Dense pellets were fabricated via a hot pressing method and the mechanical and thermal properties were characterized. RE₄Hf₃O₁₂ (RE=Ho, Er, Tm) possessed a high Vickers hardness of 11 GPa. The material retained high elastic modulus at elevated temperatures up to 1773 K, which made it attractive for high temperature application. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of RE₄Hf₃O₁₂ (RE = Ho, Er, Tm) laid in the range between 7 × 10^?6 K^?1 to 10 × 10^?6 K^?1 from 473 K to 1673 K. In addition, the rare earth hafnates exhibited lower thermal conductivity which rendered it a good candidate material for thermal barrier applications.