Study on the Attack of Molten Silicates to Thermal Barrier Coatings at Varying Service Temperatures

Thermal barrier coatings have provided a revolution in the industry as they allow a higher operating temperature of equipment, improving the efficiency of gas turbines. However, one of the biggest challenges in terms of increasing the lifespan of TBC systems is the attack of fused silicates or simply CMAS (Calcium-Magnesium-Alumina-Silicate). CMAS are particles from the environment that can penetrate the TBC structure and cause delamination of the coating when exposed to high temperatures during thermal cycling. In this study, a plasma sprayed YSZ coating in the as coated and surface treated condition were given CMAS depositions from various preparation methods, and then subjected to thermal cycles at different evaluation temperatures and exposure times. The permeability of the ceramic layer and the penetration path of CMAS at different temperature levels were evaluated, as well as the penetration characteristics in relation to the microstructure of the ceramic layer. X-Ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy were used to characterize the applied CMAS and the penetration kinetics and conditions. Samples with longer exposure time had a considerable volume increase. The conditions to guarantee the formation of the silicate and its consequent wettability are also discussed.