Optimizing Coating Thickness of Electrophoretic Deposition Overlay on Plasma Sprayed YSZ Coating Using Taguchi Method

In this study, nano sized yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) suspension in organic solution was deposited by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method as a protective layer on substrate that was previously plasma sprayed thermal barrier coating (TBCs). In order to improve the performance of TBC from degradation by melt ingression of fuel impurities. Design of experiments (DOE) by Taguchi method was used to optimize the controlled variables of EPD process. A crack free YSZ overlay coating was carried out at different variables; applied voltage (20, 40, 60) V, deposition time (3, 5, 7) min and suspension concentration (5, 10, 15) g/l using DC current. Morphological appearance and cross section of the investigated coating specimen were done using optical and field emission scanning electron microscope. Optimizing process and analysis of variances (ANOVA) were performed by “Minitab 18” software. The results indicate that best condition of coating thickness can be obtained at 40V, 5min and 10g/l when applying signal-to-noise ratio “Larger is better”.

Investigation of High-Temperature Normal Infrared Spectral Emissivity of ZrO2 Thermal Barrier Coating Artefacts by the Modified Integrated Blackbody Method

Zirconium oxide (ZrO2) is widely used as the thermal barrier coating in turbines and engines. Accurate emissivity measurement of ZrO2 coating at high temperatures, especially above 1000 °C, plays a vital role in thermal modelling and radiation thermometry. However, it is an extremely challenging enterprise, and very few high temperature emissivity results with rigorously estimated uncertainties have been published to date. The key issue for accurately measuring the high temperature emissivity is maintaining a hot surface without reflection from the hot environment, and avoiding passive or active oxidation of material, which will modify the emissivity. In this paper, a novel modified integrated blackbody method is reported to measure the high temperature normal spectral emissivity of ZrO2 coating in the temperature range 1000 °C to 1200 °C and spectral range 8 μm to 14 μm. The results and the associated uncertainty of the measurement were estimated and a relative standard uncertainty better than 7% (k = 2) is achieved.

Effect of Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Thermal Conductivity of Thermal Barrier Coating

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are essential for increasing the inlet temperature of gas turbines to improve their thermal efficiency. Continuous exposure to flames is known to affect the thermal properties of TBCs, degrading the performance of gas turbines as a consequence. In this study, we quantified the changes in the thermal conductivity of yttria-stabilized zirconia coatings with respect to various heat treatment temperatures and times. The coating exhibited an increase in thermal conductivity after heat treatment, with higher heat treatment temperatures resulting in greater thermal conductivity. The coatings were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy before and after heat treatment. Results showed that there was little change in thermal conductivity due to phase changes and grain size. We conclude that pore structures, i.e., circular and lamellar pores, affected the change in thermal conductivity. Specifically, we confirmed that the change in thermal conductivity depends on the size of the lamellar pores.