Quantitative acoustic emission analysis of plasma sprayed thermal barrier coatings subjected to thermal shock tests

Abstract Zirconia-based thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), produced using Vacuum Plasma Spray (VPS) technology, were recently subjected to burner rig testing. The VPS TBC performance was compared to TBCs deposited using conventional Atmospheric Plasma Sprayed (APS) and Electron Beam Physical Vapor Deposition (EB-PVD) techniques. All of the coatings consisted of an MCrAlY bond coat and a partially stabilized ZrO2-8%Y2O3 (PSZ) top coat. The TBC coated pins (6.35 mm in diameter) were tested using gas temperatures ranging from 110CC to 1500°C. The pins were tested to failure under severe conditions (1500°C gas temperature, with no internal cooling). The initial testing indicated that under typical operating gas temperatures (1400°C), the VPS TBC performance was comparable, if not superior, to conventional TBCs. Following the encouraging results, thick composite TBCs, produced in a single-step operation, were investigated. Preliminary work on ZrO2-8% Y2O3/Ca2SiO4 composite TBCs with interlayer grading included thermal shock testing and temperature drop measurements across the TBC. The composite TBC thicknesses ranged from 850µm to 1.8 mm. Initial results indicate that thick adherent composite TBCs, with high resistance to severe thermal shock, can be produced in a single step using the VPS process.

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Improving Thermal Shock Resistance of Plasma-Sprayed Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Thermal Barrier Coatings by Laser Remelting

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.472-475.2502 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 472-475 ◽

pp. 2502-2507

Author(s):

Zong Yin Duan ◽

Dong Sheng Wang

Keyword(s):

Thermal Shock ◽

Thermal Barrier Coatings ◽

Thermal Shock Resistance ◽

Yttria Stabilized Zirconia ◽

Thermal Barrier ◽

Laser Remelting ◽

Stabilized Zirconia ◽

Barrier Coatings ◽

Shock Resistance ◽

Plasma Sprayed

This paper deals with the microstructure and thermal shock behavior of laser remelting of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) deposited by plasma spraying. The microstructures of the coatings were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the as-sprayed ceramic coating had laminated structure with high porosity. However, the coating exhibited a dense lamellar-like layer with segment cracks on the remained plasma-sprayed porous layer. Thermal shock experiments for the two kinds of TBCs were performed by water quenching method. Testing result showed that the laser-remelted TBC had better thermal shock resistance than the as-sprayed one. The damage mode of the as-sprayed TBC was great-size whole spalling. In contract, the failure mechanism of the laser-remelted one was mainly local pelling. Segmented cracks of the top ceramic coatings caused by laser remelting improved the stress accommodation and were mainly attributed to the enhancement for thermal shock life of TBC.

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