Research Summaries

Back Sandphobic Thermal/Environmental Barrier Coatings for Gas Turbine Engines

Fiscal Year 2020
Division Graduate School of Engineering & Applied Science
Department Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Investigator(s) Nieto, Andy
Sponsor Strategic Environment Research & Development Program (DoD)
Summary This programs seeks to develop novel 'sandphobic' thermal/environmental barrier coatings (T/EBCs) for protection of gas turbine engines (GTE) components operating at high temperature, from molten environmental particulate attack. Developing T/EBCs that are resistant to adhesion and subsequent attack from molten environmental particles (i.e., calcia-magnesia-alumina-silicates - or CMAS) would improve the sustainment and performance of military aeroengines, marine propulsion systems, and ground vehicles, as well as commercial aircraft. These research will span fundamental to applied research work on CMAS attack mechanisms and CMAS-resistant engineering coatings. The governing parameters of CMAS adhesion and attack will be identified, ranked, and used to tailor a new class of T/EBCs. The developed coatings are envisioned for use in existing nickel superalloy turbine blades, as well as next generation GTE components consisting of ceramic matrix composites. New coatings developed will be evaluated under for controlled isothermal conditions, to study CMAS reaction/infiltration kinetics, as well as high temperature, high velocity jet burner rig tests to simulate GTE engine environments. The proposed work will also seek to evaluate the environmental impact of CMAS induced degradation, as well as any impacts from coating developments, usage, and/or degradation. Coatings will be developed using industry standard thermal spray technologies, thereby enabling a streamlined transition of successful coatings into DoD assets.
Keywords Materials Characterization Thermal Barrier coatings environmental particulate degradation gas turbine engines reaction kinetics
Publications Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal
Data Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal