Novel-structured plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coatings with low thermal conductivity,high sintering resistance and high durability

The microstructure of the ceramic topcoat has a great influence on the service performance of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). In this study, conventional layered-structure TBCs, nanostructured TBCs, and novel-structured TBCs with a unique microstructure were fabricated by air plasma spraying. The relationship between the microstructure and properties of the three different TBCs was analysed. Their thermal insulation ability, sintering resistance, and durability were systematically evaluated. Additionally, their failure modes after being subjected to two kinds of thermal shock tests were analysed. The results revealed that the novel-structured TBCs had remarkably superior performances in all the examined aspects. The thermal conductivity of the novel-structured TBCs was significantly lower than those of the conventional and nanostructured TBCs both in the as-sprayed state and after thermal treatment for 500 h at 1100 °C. The macroscopic elastic modulus of the novel-structured TBCs after sintering at 1300 °C for 100 h was similar to those of the conventional and nanostructured TBCs in the as-sprayed state. During both a burner rig thermal shock test and a furnace cyclic oxidation test, the thermal shock lifetime of the novel-structured TBCs was much longer than those of the conventional and nanostructured TBCs. This study has demonstrated novel-structured plasma-sprayed TBCs with high thermal insulation ability and high durability.     

Failure of the plasma-sprayed coating of lanthanum hexaluminate

Lanthanum magnesium hexaluminate (LaMgAl₁₁O₁₉, LMA) is an attractive material for thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), and the failure of its coating was studied in this work by thermal cycling, X-ray diffraction, dilatometric measurement and thermal gravimetric-differential thermal analysis. The dilatometric measurement indicates that even though the bulk material of LMA has a higher sintering-resistance than the typical TBC material, i.e. yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), the plasma sprayed coating of LMA has two serious contractions due to the re-crystallization of LMA and phase transitions of alumina. LMA has similar thermal expansion behaviour with alumina, leading to a good thermal expansion match between LMA and the thermally grown oxide layer. On the other hand, the plate-like structure of LMA not only results in a low thermal conductivity, low Young's modulus, but also a high stress tolerance, and these are believed to be the reasons for the long thermal cycling life of LMA coating.     

Influence of SiC fiber on thermal cycling lifetime of SiC fibers /YSZ thermal barrier coatings by atmospheric plasma spraying

The initiation and propagation of cracks under thermal stresses easily is one of the problems limiting the thermal cycling lifetime of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). In order to improve the thermal cycling lifetime, SiC fibers were introduced to yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) coating deposited on In738LC substrate by atmospheric plasma spray (APS). Phase composition, thermal cycling behaviors and fiber toughening mechanisms of coatings were systematically investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermal cycling test. Results showed that the thermal cycling lifetime and fracture toughness of SiC fibers/YSZ coatings could reach 442?±?13 and 1.54?±?0.19?MPa $\sqrt{m}$ respectively, which were 1.6 times and 1.3 times higher than that of conventional TBCs. There are two stages of fiber reinforced during thermal cycling, and the first is crack deflection and termination, the second is fiber debonding, pull-out, breakage and bridging. Meanwhile, SiC fibers could prevent the stress-activated ZrO₂ martensitic transformation by reducing the stress in the lattice.     

Sintering characteristics of plasma-sprayed TBCs: Experimental analysis and an overall modelling

In this study, sintering behaviour of plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coatings (PS-TBCs) was investigated experimentally and theoretically. Results show that the sintering kinetics of PS-TBCs is highly stage-sensitive. The sintering proceeds significantly faster at initial short thermal exposure (<20 h), while it slows down dramatically at following long thermal exposure. A detailed examination on microstructural evolution of the PS-TBCs was carried out to understand their sintering behaviour. Results show that, different from the conventional sintering theory, the healing of 2D pores was dominantly responsible for the stage-sensitive sintering kinetics during thermal exposure. In brief, the sintering characteristics of the PS-TBCs are highly structure specific. In addition, a structural model was developed based on the structural characteristics of the PS-TBCs; and the model predicts a well consistent sintering behaviour with experiments. Finally, an outlook towards TBCs with higher performance was put forward.     

Thermo-physical properties of as deposited and aged thermal barrier coatings (TBC) for gas turbines: State-of-the art and advanced TBCs

In the perspective of fuelling the future generations of gas turbines by hydrogen rich syngas, the evaluation of the effect of a higher water vapour content into the flue gases on the TBC used, or potentially usable, is a need. For this purpose YPSZ APS TBC with two different microstructures have been exposed for 500?h at different temperatures in the range 1000?°C–1250?°C either in air and air +20% vol. H₂O. The comparison between the different testing conditions has been performed in terms of sintering kinetics and phase stability, as evaluated by thermal diffusivity measurements and Synchrotron X-Rays diffraction, respectively. Furthermore the characterisation of thermal properties of two innovative TBCs (GZO-YPSZ and YAG) potentially able to withstand the CMAS attack and erosive environments, respectively, has been carried out.No clear evidence of a different behaviour of TBC has been observed, at least in the considered aging time and temperature range.     

Low–thermal–conductivity and high–toughness CeO2–Gd2O3 co–stabilized zirconia ceramic for potential thermal barrier coating applications

Yttria partially stabilized zirconia (～4.0?mol% Y₂O₃–ZrO₂, 4YSZ) has been widely employed as thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) to protect the high–temperature components of gas–turbine engines. The phase stability problem existing in the conventional 4YSZ has limited it to application below 1200?°C. Here we report an excellent zirconia system co–doped with 16?mol% CeO₂ and 4?mol% Gd₂O₃ (16Ce–4Gd) presenting nontransformable feature up to 1500?°C, in which no detrimental monoclinic (m) ZrO₂ phase formed on partitioning. It also exhibits a high fracture toughness of ～46?J m^?2 and shows high sintering resistance. Besides, the thermal conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient of 16Ce–4Gd are more competent for TBCs applications as compared to the 4YSZ. The combination of properties suggests that the 16Ce–4Gd system could be of potential use as a thermal barrier coating at 1500?°C.     

Fabrication and post heat treatment of 0.5Pb (Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.5Pb(Zr0.48Ti0.52)O3 coatings by supersonic plasma spray

Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-Pb(Z_r0.48Ti_0.52)O₃ coatings were obtained by supersonic plasma spray. With subsequent heat treatment, compact structure and typical tetragonal phase were obtained, and therefore dielectric performance (ε_r ≈ 915 at ambient temperature) have been significantly improved. The reason for successfully promote the properties is attributed the elimination of defects, amorphous and pyrochlore phase. Detail analyses were conducted on the variation of defects (pores and micro-cracks) and phase (amorphous, pyrochlore) of coatings after treated at elevated temperature. With the analyses, the existence of pyrochlore phase and ZrO₂ are attributed to the incongruent melting behavior. Inhibition of grain growth is attributed to the accumulation of ZrO₂ in the grain boundary. The results also suggest the subsequent change from pseudocubic to tetragonal at elevated temperature.