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The effect of sintering and CMAS on the stability of plasma-sprayed zirconia thermal barrier coatings


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Authors

Shinozaki, Maya 

Abstract

State of the art thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) for gas turbine applications comprise (7 wt.%) yttria partially stabilized zirconia (7YSZ). 7YSZ offers a range of attractive functional properties – low thermal conductivity, high thermal expansion coefficient and high in-plane strain tolerance. However, as turbine entry temperatures are raised, the performance of 7YSZ coatings will be increasingly affected by sintering and environmental contamination, by calcia-magnesia-alumina-silica (CMAS) deposits. The effect of sintering-induced stiffening on the driving force for spallation of plasma-sprayed (PS) TBCs was investigated. Spallation lifetimes of TBC specimens sprayed onto alumina substrates were measured. A simple fracture mechanics approach was employed in order to deduce a value for the strain energy release rate. The critical strain energy release rate was found to be constant, and if this value had been known beforehand, then the rationale presented here could be used for prediction of coating lifetime. The effect of vermiculite (VM) and volcanic ash (VA) contamination on the sintering-induced spallation lifetime of PS TBCs was also investigated. The presence of both VM and VA was found to accelerate the rise in their Young’s modulus with sintering. Spallation results show that coating lifetime may be significantly reduced, even at relative low addition levels, due to the loss of strain tolerance caused by the penetration of glassy deposits. This result gives a clear insight into the role CMAS plays in destabilizing TBCs. Finally, the adhesion characteristics of ingested volcanic ash were studied using a small jet engine. The effects of engine speed and particle size were investigated. Deposition on turbine surfaces was assessed using a borescope. Deposition mainly occurred on the nozzle guide vane and blade platform. A numerical model was used to predict particle acceleration and heating in flight. It was observed that larger particles are more likely to adhere because they have greater inertia, and thus are more likely to impact surfaces. The temperature of the larger particles at the end of its flight was predicted to be below its softening point. However, since the component surface temperatures are expected to be hotter, adhesion of such particles is probable, by softening/melting straight after impact.

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Date

Advisors

Keywords

Thermal Barrier Coatings, CMAS, Spallation, Plasma-Spray, Lifetime, Volcanic Ash

Qualification

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Awarding Institution

University of Cambridge
Sponsorship
I gratefully acknowledge the provision of funding by the Schools Competition Act Settlement Trust (SCAST), Sulzer Metco Inc., the Royal Aeronautical Society, Cambridge Philosophical and the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers to support this work.