FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to a coated article and a method for producing
a coating. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a coated article
and a method for producing a coating containing an anodic material and ceramic particles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Gas and steam turbine components, particularly rear stage gas turbine compressor
blades, rear stage gas turbine compressor vanes and centrifugal pump impellers, in
addition to pipelines, are subjected to water droplet erosion, particulate deposition
and corrosion pitting induced cracking issues caused by on-line water washing. The
preceding surface degradation mechanisms may also result in undesirable increases
in surface roughness.
[0003] Changing the material of the components may improve corrosion resistance but may
not improve the roughening effect. Developing alternate alloys may not be cost effective
and re-designing components to achieve better overall robustness may not be feasible
due to the time and cost involved as well the design constraints imposed by the materials
used and the operating requirements.
[0004] Fouling of components may cause corrosion of the components underneath the deposits
through a crevice corrosion mechanism. Additionally, particulates in the intake air
may cause erosion through foreign object damage to the components thereby causing
corrosion. Water wash cycles are often performed to remove the particulates that have
built up on the components. However, the water wash cycles expose the components to
increased amounts of moisture, which may cause corrosion of the components by dissolving
and leaching corrosive agents entrapped in the surface deposits, and accelerated corrosion
to any portions of the components damaged by foreign object damage. Furthermore, the
water wash cycles may utilize chemicals to remove complex particulate buildup. These
chemicals may increase corrosion of the components and increase maintenance cost of
the components. Coating systems which require more than one coating layer to address
corrosion, oxidation, fouling and/or erosion are undesirable because multiple layers
may result in excessive overall thickness of the component so coated. Additionally,
multiple coatings may increase the likelihood of undesirable alterations in the aerodynamics
or fluid dynamics of the component, or detrimental increases in the weight of the
component.
[0005] Unchecked corrosion, oxidation, fouling and/or erosion of the exposed surfaces of
the gas turbine or steam turbine components, or of pipelines, may result in undesirable
increases in surface roughness, thereby decreasing the efficiency.
[0006] Coated components and methods for producing coated components that do not suffer
from one or more of the above drawbacks would be desirable in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one embodiment, a method for producing a coating includes providing a substrate
defining a substrate surface having a substrate erosion resistance and applying a
matrix and ceramic particles to the substrate surface. The matrix includes an anodic
material having an anodic erosion resistance. The ceramic particles include a first
ceramic having a first ceramic erosion resistance and a second ceramic having a second
ceramic erosion resistance. The first ceramic erosion resistance is greater than the
second ceramic erosion resistance, greater than the anodic erosion resistance, and
greater than the substrate erosion resistance. The second ceramic interacts inchoately
with the anodic material during the applying to form modified ceramic particles and
modified anodic material formations. The modified ceramic particles are capable of
forming a passive oxide film.
[0008] In another embodiment a coated article includes a substrate defining a substrate
surface having a substrate erosion resistance and a coating on the substrate surface.
The coating includes a matrix and ceramic particles. The matrix includes an anodic
material having an anodic erosion resistance. The ceramic particles include a first
ceramic having a first ceramic erosion resistance and a second ceramic having a second
ceramic erosion resistance. The coating also includes modified ceramic particles and
modified anodic material formations formed by an inchoate interaction between the
second ceramic and the anodic material. The first ceramic erosion resistance is greater
than the second ceramic erosion resistance, greater than the anodic erosion resistance,
and greater than the substrate erosion resistance. The modified ceramic particles
are capable of forming a passive oxide film.
[0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the
following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coated article, according to an embodiment of the
disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1 of the coated article, according
to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a coated article including a passive oxide film, according
to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0011] Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings
to represent the same parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Provided are a coated article and a method for producing a coating. Embodiments of
the present disclosure, in comparison to methods and articles not using one or more
of the features disclosed herein, decrease substrate corrosion, decrease substrate
oxidation, decrease substrate fouling, decrease substrate erosion, decrease the rate
at which the surface roughness of a substrate increases, decrease maintenance costs,
increase efficiency, or a combination thereof.
[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, a coated article 100 is depicted. In one
embodiment, the coated article 100 is any suitable component, for example, a compressor
blade 102 (shown), a compressor vane, a centrifugal pump impeller or a pipeline. The
term "blade" as used herein is intended to be synonymous with the term "bucket."
[0014] Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment the coated article 100 includes a substrate
202 defining a substrate surface 204 having a substrate erosion resistance, and a
coating 206 on the substrate surface 204. The coating 206 includes a matrix 210 including
an anodic material 212 having an anodic erosion resistance, and ceramic particles
214. The anodic material 212 may be anodic with respect to the substrate 202. The
ceramic particles 214 include a first ceramic 216 having a first ceramic erosion resistance
and a second ceramic 218 having a second ceramic erosion resistance. The coating 206
also includes modified ceramic particles 220 and modified anodic material formations
222 formed from an inchoate interaction between the second ceramic 218 and the anodic
material 212. The coating 206 defines a coating surface 224 which is exposed to the
external environment. In a further embodiment, the first ceramic erosion resistance
is greater than the second ceramic erosion resistance, greater than the anodic erosion
resistance, and greater than the substrate erosion resistance.
[0015] In one embodiment, the anodic material 212 includes Cr
70%Ni
30% (wt%), a mixture of Ni
80%Al
20% (wt%) and Ni
95%Al
5% (wt%), cobalt and aluminum particles in a sacrificial metallic undercoat with a ceramic
overcoat, a metallurgically bonded aluminide with an aluminum surface layer, NiCrAl,
or a combination thereof. In one embodiment the anoidic material is Cr
70%Ni
30% (wt%). In a further embodiment, the anodic material 212 is operative to protect the
substrate surface 204 from corrosion during downtime, which is endemic in peaking
turbine components and not uncommon even in base loaded turbine components.
[0016] In one embodiment, the first ceramic 216 is tungsten carbide and the second ceramic
218 is chromium carbide, chromium nitride or a combination of chromium carbide and
chromium nitride. In a further embodiment, the anodic material 212 contains chromium
and nickel, and the second ceramic interacts inchoately with the chromium and nickel
in the anodic material 212 during the applying to form the modified ceramic particles
220 and the modified anodic material formations 222. The modified ceramic particles
220 include at least one of modified chromium carbide particles having a range of
chromium carbide stoichiometries and modified chromium nitride particles having a
range of chromium nitride stoichiometries. Without being bound by theory, it is believed
that a portion of the second ceramic dissolves during thermal spray processing, releasing
free chromium and at least one of carbon and nitrogen. The free chromium may push
the electrochemical potential of the matrix toward being more anodic. Nitrogen when
dissolved in the matrix may improve pitting resistance of the matrix under corrosive
conditions.
[0017] In one embodiment, the coating 206 contains from about 30% to about 60% by weight
tungsten carbide, alternatively from about 30% to about 40%, alternatively from about
40% to about 50%, alternatively from about 50% to about 60%. In an additional embodiment,
the coating 206 further contains from about 20% to about 50% by weight of one or both
of chromium carbide and chromium nitride, alternatively from about 20% to about 30%,
alternatively from about 30% to about 40% alternatively from about 40% to about 50%.
In a further embodiment, the coating 206 also contain balance essentially anodic material
212.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the modified ceramic particles 220 are capable
of forming a passive oxide film 302. In a further embodiment, the passive oxide film
302 forms under standard rear stage turbine compressor operating conditions. Known
rear stage turbine compressor operating conditions include, for example, elevated
pressures 10-25 times atmospheric pressure, and being subjected to adiabatic heating
to 250-677 °C. For example, when formed, the passive oxide film 302 defines the coating
surface 224. The passive oxide film 302 resists increases in the roughness of the
coating surface 224 caused by oxidation. Without being bound by theory, it is believed
that because the passive oxide film 302 include materials which are oxides, these
materials will not undergo further oxidation.
[0019] In one embodiment, the passive oxide film 302 is uniformly, or substantially uniformly,
distributed on the matrix 210. In another embodiment, the passive oxide film 302 has
a thickness of between about 0.1 µm to about 3 µm, alternatively between about 0.1
µm to about 2 µm, alternatively between about 0.1 µm to about 1 µm, alternatively
between about 1 µm to about 2 µm, alternatively between about 2 µm to about 3 µm,
alternatively between about 0.1 µm to about 1.5 µm, alternatively between about 1.5
µm to about 3 µm, alternatively between about 0.1 µm to about 0.5 µm, alternatively
between about 0.5 µm to about 1 µm, alternatively between about 1 µm to about 1.5
µm, alternatively between about 1.5 µm to about 2 µm.
[0020] The coating 206 is produced by any suitable method. In one embodiment, a method for
applying the coating 206 includes providing the substrate 202 defining the substrate
surface 204 and applying the matrix 210 and the ceramic particles 214 to the substrate
surface 204. Applying the matrix 210 and the ceramic particles 214 to the substrate
surface 204 may be accomplished by any suitable coating techniques, such as, but not
limited to, thermal spray, air plasma spray (APS), high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF)
thermal spray, high velocity air fuel spraying (HVAF), vacuum plasma spray (VPS),
electron-beam physical vapor deposition (EBPVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD),
ion plasma deposition (IPD), combustion spraying with powder or rod, cold spray, sol
gel, electrophoretic deposition, tape casting, polymer derived ceramic coating, slurry
coating, dip-application, vacuum-coating application, curtain-coating application,
brush-application, roll-coat application, and agglomeration and sintering followed
by spray drying.
[0021] In one embodiment, the ceramic particles 214 have an average particle diameter ranging
from about 0.3 µm to about 5 µm, alternatively from about 0.3 µm to about 2.5 µm,
alternatively from about 2.5 µm to about 5 µm, alternatively from about 0.3 µm to
about 2 µm, alternatively from about 2 µm to about 3.5 µm, alternatively from about
3.5 µm to about 5 µm, alternatively from about 0.3 µm to about 1 µm, alternatively
from about 2 µm to about 3 µm, alternatively from about 3 µm to about 4 µm, alternatively
from about 4 µm to about 5 µm.
[0022] In one embodiment, the coating 206 has an average distance between the ceramic particles
214 ranging from about 0.2 µm to about 2 µm, alternatively from about 0.2 µm to about
1 µm, alternatively from about 1 µm to about 2 µm, alternatively from about 0.2 µm
to about 0.8 µm, alternatively from about 0.8 µm to about 1.4 µm, alternatively from
about 1.4 µm to about 2 µm.
[0023] In one embodiment, the coating 206 has a thickness of between about 50 µm to about
250 µm, alternatively between about 50 µm to about 150 µm, alternatively between about
100 µm to about 200 µm, alternatively between about 150 µm to about 250 µm, alternatively
between about 50 µm to about 100 µm, alternatively between about 100 µm to about 150
µm, alternatively between about 150 µm to about 200 µm, alternatively between about
200 µm to about 250 µm.
[0024] In one embodiment, the coating 206 consists essentially of a single matrix 210 of
anodic material 212 with a plurality of ceramic particles 214 dispersed therein. A
single matrix 210 of anodic material 212, as opposed to multiple layers of anodic
material 212, allows for the thickness of the coating 206 to be minimized.
[0025] In one embodiment, the ceramic particles 214 including the first ceramic 216 having
a first ceramic erosion resistance are capable of resisting increases in the roughness
of the coating surface 224. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the
increased hardness of the first ceramic 216 relative to the hardness of the second
ceramic 218 and the anodic material 212 confers resistance to deposition of particles
and subsequent corrosion of the coating surface 224.
[0026] In one embodiment, wherein the coating 206 has a thickness less than about 250 µm,
alternatively less than about 150 µm, the property corresponding to erosion resistance
includes erosion of the coating 206 of less than about 76 µm over about 48,000 hours
of operation under standard rear stage turbine compressor operating conditions.
[0027] In one embodiment, the anodic material 212 in the matrix 210 is capable of resisting
increases in the roughness of the coating surface 224. Without being bound by theory,
it is believed that the anodic material 212 protects the substrate 202 from corrosion
by undergoing anodic dissolution preferentially as the substrate 202 is placed at
a nobler cathodic potential compared to the matrix 210. The anodic material 212 is
metallic in nature and possesses necessary toughness and ductility. However to resist
deposition, particulate and water droplet erosion the matrix 210 is strengthened by
ceramic particles 214. The first ceramic 216 in the ceramic particles 214 address
erosion resistance. The second ceramic 218 in the ceramic particles 214, such as chromium
carbide and chromium nitride dissolves during application, such as by thermal spray,
to release free chromium, which further augments the anodic nature of the matrix 210.
While the invention has been described with reference to one or more embodiments,
it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made
and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the
scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the
essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited
to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying
out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within
the scope of the appended claims.
1. A method for producing a coating, comprising:
providing a substrate defining a substrate surface having a substrate erosion resistance;
and
applying a matrix and ceramic particles to the substrate surface, wherein:
the matrix includes an anodic material having an anodic erosion resistance; and
the ceramic particles include:
a first ceramic having a first ceramic erosion resistance; and
a second ceramic having a second ceramic erosion resistance,
wherein the first ceramic erosion resistance is:
greater than the second ceramic erosion resistance;
greater than the anodic erosion resistance; and
greater than the substrate erosion resistance,
wherein the second ceramic interacts inchoately with the anodic material during the
applying to form modified ceramic particles and modified anodic material formations,
and
wherein the modified ceramic particles are capable of forming a passive oxide film.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the anodic material is selected from a group consisting
of Cr70%Ni30% (wt%), a mixture of Ni80%Al20% (wt%) and Ni95%Al5% (wt%), cobalt and aluminum particles in a sacrificial metallic undercoat with a ceramic
overcoat, a metallurgically bonded aluminide with an aluminum surface layer, NiCrAl
and combinations thereof.
3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first ceramic is tungsten carbide and
the second ceramic is chromium carbide, chromium nitride or a combination of chromium
carbide and chromium nitride.
4. The method of any preceding claim, wherein:
the anodic material contains chromium and nickel;
the second ceramic interacts inchoately with the chromium and nickel in the anodic
material during the applying to form the modified ceramic particles and the modified
anodic material formations; and
the modified ceramic particles include at least one of modified chromium carbide particles
having a range of chromium carbide stoichiometries and modified chromium nitride particles
having a range of chromium nitride stoichiometries.
5. The method of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the coating contains from about 30% to about
60% by weight tungsten carbide, from about 20% to about 50% by weight of one or both
of chromium carbide and chromium nitride, and balance essentially anodic material.
6. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the ceramic particles have an average particle
diameter ranging from about 0.3 µm to about 5 µm, and the coating has an average distance
between the ceramic particles ranging from about 0.2 µm to about 2 µm.
7. The method of any preceding claim, wherein producing the coating consists essentially
of applying a single matrix of anodic material with ceramic particles dispersed therein.
8. A coated article, comprising:
a substrate defining a substrate surface having a substrate erosion resistance; and
a coating on the substrate surface, wherein the coating includes:
a matrix including an anodic material having an anodic erosion resistance;
ceramic particles including:
a first ceramic having a first ceramic erosion resistance; and
a second ceramic having a second ceramic erosion resistance; and
modified ceramic particles and modified anodic material formations formed by an inchoate
interaction between the second ceramic and the anodic material,
wherein the first ceramic erosion resistance is:
greater than the second ceramic erosion resistance;
greater than the anodic erosion resistance; and
greater than the substrate erosion resistance, and
wherein the modified ceramic particles are capable of forming a passive oxide film.
9. The coated article of claim 8, wherein the anodic material is selected from a group
consisting of Cr70%Ni30% (wt%), a mixture of Ni80%Al20% (wt%) and Ni95%Al5% (wt%), cobalt and aluminum particles in a sacrificial metallic undercoat with a ceramic
overcoat, a metallurgically bonded aluminide with an aluminum surface layer, NiCrAl,
and combinations thereof.
10. The coated article of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the first ceramic is tungsten carbide
and the second ceramic is chromium carbide, chromium nitride or a combination of chromium
carbide and chromium nitride.
11. The coated article of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein:
the anodic material contains chromium and nickel;
the modified ceramic particles and the modified anodic material formations are formed
by the inchoate interaction of the second ceramic with the chromium and nickel in
the anodic material; and
the modified ceramic particles include at least one of modified chromium carbide particles
having a range of chromium carbide stoichiometries and modified chromium nitride particles
having a range of chromium nitride stoichiometries.
12. The coated article of any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the coating contains from
about 30% to about 60% by weight tungsten carbide, from about 20% to about 50% by
weight of one or both of chromium carbide and chromium nitride, and balance essentially
anodic material.
13. The coated article of any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the ceramic particles have
an average particle diameter ranging from about 0.3 µm to about 5 µm, and the coating
has an average distance between the ceramic particles ranging from about 0.2 µm to
about 2 µm.
14. The coated article of any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the substrate is selected
from a group consisting of a compressor blade, a compressor vane, a centrifugal pump
impeller, and a pipeline.
15. The coated article of any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the coating consists essentially
of a single matrix of anodic material with ceramic particles dispersed therein.