BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates to thermal barrier coating compositions designed to
withstand infiltration from molten environmental contaminant infiltration, processes
for applying same and components coated with same.
[0002] Gas turbine engines typically include a compressor to pressurize airflow, a combustor
to burn a hydrocarbon fuel in the presence of the pressurized air, and a turbine to
extract energy from the resultant combustion gases. The combustor and the turbine
form a hot section of the engine and components therein often include thermal barrier
coatings (TBC).
[0003] The thermal insulation provided by the TBC enables hot section components to survive
higher operating temperatures, increases component durability, and improves engine
durability. The TBC is typically a refractory ceramic material deposited on a bond
coat to form what may be termed a TBC system. Bond coat materials widely used in TBC
systems include oxidation-resistant overlay coatings such as MCrAlX (where M is iron,
cobalt and/or nickel, and X is yttrium or another rare earth element), and diffusion
coatings such as diffusion aluminides that contain aluminum intermetallics.
[0004] Ceramic materials and particularly binary yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) are widely
used as TBC materials because of their high temperature capability, low thermal conductivity,
and relative ease of deposition such as by air plasma spraying (APS), flame spraying
such as high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF), physical vapor deposition (PVD) and other techniques.
[0005] Under service conditions, these TBC coated hot section engine components can be susceptible
to various modes of damage, including erosion, oxidation and corrosion from exposure
to the gaseous products of combustion, foreign object damage and attack from environmental
contaminants. These contaminants, CMAS (Calcium Magnesium AluminoSilicate), Volcanic
Ash, Fly Ash, can adhere to the TBC surfaces of the hot section components. The interaction
between the TBC and contaminants may result in premature TBC loss over the life of
the components. For example, CMAS particulates are often contained in the atmosphere
of areas having fine sand and/or dust. CMAS infiltration is a phenomenon that is linked
to TBC spallation. The CMAS may melt on the hot section components, which may lead
to penetration of the porous, and strain tolerant, TBC microstructure. On cooling,
this penetrated layer stiffens and the induced strain energy can lead to TBC spallation.
[0006] Rare earth zirconates are often utilized to react with the encroaching CMAS melt
which may decrease the depth of infiltration of the melt and hence the strain energy
introduced into the coating to prevent extensive coating spallation. However, formation
of this reaction layer is not readily controllable in service, as a number of extrinsic
factors such as CMAS deposition rate, surface temperatures, airflow, erosion of the
TBC, and foreign object damage may result in variation in penetration depth and the
potential resultant damage.
SUMMARY
[0007] A process for coating a component according to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment
of the present disclosure includes applying a bond coat on a substrate of a component;
applying a thermal barrier material to said bond coat; and applying a rare earth apatite
to said thermal barrier material.
[0008] A further embodiment of the present disclosure includes, forming said rare earth
apatite as a layer with a thickness of about 0.05-20 mil (0.00127-0.508 mm).
[0009] A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure
includes, wherein said rare earth apatite is formed as Ca
2+yRE
8+x(SiO
4)
6O
2+3x/2+y in which - 2<y<2 and -2<x<2.
[0010] A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure
includes, wherein 0<y<2 and -2<x<0.
[0011] A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure
includes, whereas applying said rare earth apatite is formed via one of Suspension
Plasma Spray (SPS) and Solution Precursor Plasma Spray (SPPS) to form an exposed surface.
[0012] A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure
includes, applying a layer of rare earth zirconate onto said thermal barrier material
prior to application of said rare earth apatite.
[0013] A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure
includes, said layer of rare earth zirconate is formed as a layer with a thickness
of about 1-20 mil (0.0254 - 0.508 mm).
[0014] A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure
includes, mixing said rare earth apatite and said rare earth zirconate forming a randomly
dispersed system.
[0015] A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure
includes, wherein said randomly dispersed system forms a ratio between 80% - 20% rare
earth apatite.
[0016] A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure
includes, wherein said randomly dispersed system forms a ratio between 60% - 40% rare
earth apatite.
[0017] A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure
includes, mixing said rare earth apatite and said rare earth zirconate forming a graded
layer.
[0018] A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure
includes, wherein said graded layer is deposited as 100% rare earth zirconate at said
thermal barrier material and gradually transition to 100% rare earth apatite at said
exposed surface.
[0019] A gas turbine engine component according to another disclosed non-limiting embodiment
of the present disclosure includes a superalloy substrate; a bond coat on said substrate;
a thermal barrier material on said bond coat; and a rare earth apatite on said thermal
barrier material, said rare earth apatite is formed as a Ca
2+yRE
8+x(SiO
4)
6O
2+3x/2+y in which - 2<y<2 and -2<x<2.
[0020] A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure
includes, wherein the 0<y<2 and -2<x<0.
[0021] A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure
includes, wherein said rare earth apatite is formed as a layer with a thickness of
about 0.05-20 mil (0.00127-0.508 mm).
[0022] A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure
includes, a layer of rare earth zirconate between said thermal barrier material and
said rare earth apatite.
[0023] A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure
includes, wherein said layer of rare earth zirconate is formed as a layer with a thickness
of about 1-20 mil (0.0254 - 0.508 mm).
[0024] A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure
includes, a rare earth zirconate mixed with said rare earth apatite to form a randomly
dispersed system.
[0025] A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure
includes, a rare earth zirconate mixed with said rare earth apatite to form a graded
layer.
[0026] A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure
includes, wherein said rare earth apatite is applied via one of Suspension Plasma
Spray (SPS) and Solution Precursor Plasma Spray (SPPS).
[0027] The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without
exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as
well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following
description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, the following
description and drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Various features will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description of the disclosed non-limiting embodiment. The drawings that accompany
the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:
Figure 1 is a schematic cross-section of an example gas turbine engine architecture;
Figure 2 is a flowchart of a process according to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment
for application of a coating system to a component;
Figure 3 is a cross-section through the coating system applied by the process in accords
with the process of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a cross-section through a coating system according to another disclosed
non-limiting embodiment;
Figure 5 is a flowchart of a process according to another disclosed non-limiting embodiment
for the coating system of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a cross-section through a coating system according to another disclosed
non-limiting embodiment;
Figure 7 is a cross-section through a non-homogenous rare earth apatite layer according
to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment;
Figure 8 is a cross-section through a non-homogenous rare earth apatite layer according
to another disclosed non-limiting embodiment;
Figure 9 is a cross-section through a coating system according to another disclosed
non-limiting embodiment; and
Figure 10 is a cross-section through a coating system according to another disclosed
non-limiting embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a gas turbine engine 20. The gas turbine engine
20 is disclosed herein as a two-spool turbo fan that generally incorporates a fan
section 22, a compressor section 24, a combustor section 26 and a turbine section
28. The fan section 22 drives air along a bypass flowpath while the compressor section
24 drives air along a core flowpath for compression and communication into the combustor
section 26 then expansion through the turbine section 28. Although depicted as a turbofan
in the disclosed non-limiting embodiment, it should be understood that the concepts
described herein are not limited to use with turbofans as the teachings may be applied
to other types of turbomachinery to include, but not be limited to, low bypass augmented
turbofans, turbojets, turboshafts, three-spool (plus fan) turbofans and industrial
gas turbines.
[0030] With reference to Figure 2, a process 100 according to one disclosed non-limiting
embodiment for application of a coating system 40 to a component 42 (Figure 3) subjected
to high temperatures is schematically represented. The steps of the process 100 are
schematically disclosed in terms of functional block diagrams as a flowchart. It should
be appreciated that alternative of addition steps may be provided without departing
from the teaching herein.
[0031] Representative examples of the component 42 include but are not limited to combustor
section 26 and/or turbine section 28 hardware such as augmentor components, combustor
liners, blades, vanes, and blade outer air seals. The coating system 40 as described
herein is suitable for protection of a substrate 44 such as a superalloy but while
being described with reference to such superalloy gas turbine engine components, the
teachings herein are generally applicable to any component on which a TBC may be used
to protect the component from a high temperature environment, particularly environments
containing CMAS.
[0032] The process 100 initially includes application of a bond coat 46 on the substrate
44 (step 102 and Figure 3). The bond coat 46 may include an aluminum-rich composition,
such as an overlay coating or a diffusion coating such as a diffusion aluminide or
a diffusion platinum aluminide according to formulas such as MCrAlY, MCrAlY +Hf, and
MCrAlY + HF+Si, in which M denotes nickel, cobalt, iron, platinum or mixtures thereof;
Cr denotes chromium; Al denotes aluminum; and Y denotes yttrium. MCrAlY materials
are often referred to as overlay coatings because they are applied in a predetermined
composition and do not interact significantly with the substrate 44 during the deposition
process. One example preferred MCrAlY bond coat composition has a weight percent compositional
range of 5-40 Cr, 8-35 Al, 0.1-2.0 Y, 0.1-7 Si, 0.1-2.0 Hf, balance selected from
the group consisting of Ni, Co and mixtures thereof. Alternatively or in addition
the bond coat material may include Al, PtAl and the like, that are often referred
to as diffusion coatings. Alternatively or in addition, the bond coat material may
also include Al, PtAl, MCrAlY as described above, and the like, that are often referred
to as cathodic arc coatings.
[0033] The bond coat 46 may be applied by any method operable to produce a dense, uniform,
adherent coating of the desired composition, such as, but not limited to, an overlay
bond coat, diffusion bond coat, cathodic arc bond coat, etc. Such techniques may include,
but are not limited to, diffusion processes (e.g., inward, outward, etc.), low pressure
plasma-spray, air plasma-spray, sputtering, cathodic arc, electron beam physical vapor
deposition, high velocity plasma spray techniques (e.g., HVOF, HVAF), combustion processes,
wire spray techniques, laser beam cladding, electron beam cladding, etc.
[0034] The particle size for the bond coat 46 may be of any suitable size, and it may be
between about 15 microns (0.015 mm) and about 60 microns (0.060 mm) with a mean particle
size of about 25 microns (0.025 mm). The bond coat 46 may be applied to any suitable
thickness, and may be about 5 mils (0.127 mm) to about 10 mils (0.254 mm) thick. In
some embodiments, the thickness may be about 6 mils (0.152 mm) to about 7 mils (0.178
mm) thick.
[0035] Next, a thermal barrier material 48 (Figure 3) may be applied to the bond coat 46
(step 104). The thermal barrier material 48 may include a ceramic based compound.
Representative thermal barrier materials include, but are not limited to, a stabilized
zirconate, a stabilized hafnate, combinations including at least one of the foregoing
compounds, and the like, for example, yttria stabilized zirconia, calcia stabilized
zirconia, magnesia stabilized zirconia, yttria stabilized hafnia, calcia stabilized
hafnia and magnesia stabilized hafnia. Yttria stabilized zirconia is commercially
available as 7YSZ. One example preferred thermal barrier material 48 is a zirconia
stabilized by between 6-8wt% yttria that is about 0.05-5 mil (0.00127 - 0.127 mm)
in thickness deposited, nominally at 1-3 mil (0.0254- 0.0761 mm).
[0036] The thermal barrier material 48 may be applied by various known methods. Suitable
application methods include, but are not limited to, physical vapor deposition (e.g.,
electron beam), thermal spray (e.g., air plasma, high velocity oxygen fuel), sputtering,
sol gel, slurry, combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing application
processes, and the like.
[0037] Next, a Rare Earth Oxide (REO) coat 50 is applied to the thermal barrier material
48 to form the exposed surface 52 (step 106; Figure 2). In this disclosed non-limiting
embodiment, the REO coat 50 includes a layer of rare earth apatite 54 that is about
0.05-20 mil (0.00127-0.508 mm) in thickness. The layer of rare earth apatite 54 in
this disclosed non-limiting embodiment is a chemically homogenous layer of a distinct
composition. The composition of the layer of rare earth apatite 54, for example, may
be Ca
2+yRE
8+x(SiO
4)6O
2+3x/2+y in which y and x may range respectively from -2<y<2 and -2<x<2, with a preferred
range of 0<y<2 and - 2<x<0. It should be appreciated that x and y depend on one another
according to a relationship that may change with the stoichiometry, for example, where
x≤0, y=-x.
[0038] The layer of rare earth apatite 54 in this disclosed non-limiting embodiment is deposited
as densely as possible. Density as defined herein is the ratio of the ceramic material
to pores, or open space, within the layer of rare earth apatite 54. For example, an
80% density represents that the layer of rare earth apatite 54 is of 80% ceramic and
20% is of open porosity. In one disclosed non-limiting embodiment, the density ranges
from 50-100%, with a preferred range of 80-100%.
[0039] The deposition methodology for the REO coat 50 includes Suspension Plasma Spray (SPS)
or Solution Precursor Plasma Spray (SPPS) which facilitate a wide range of chemistries
and microstructures to simultaneously optimize cost and strain tolerance. SPS is a
form of plasma spraying where the ceramic feedstock is dispersed in a liquid suspension
before being injected into the plasma jet which facilities deposition of finer microstructures
through the use of finer powders. SPPS is a solution based process by which a solution
of soluble metal cations is injected into a plasma plume. For SPS, the source material
for the REO coat 50 may be provided as sub-micron particles dispersed in alcohol,
water, or another suitable carrier. For SPPS the source material for the REO coat
50 may be provided as metal salts or metal-organic compounds that would be dispersed
in alcohol, water, or other suitable carrier, i.e., Calcium Nitrate + Tetra-ethyl-ortho-silicate
+ rare earth nitrate in an alcohol solution.
[0040] With reference to Figure 4, in another process 200 according to a disclosed non-limiting
embodiment, the process 200 initially includes application of the bond coat 46 then
the thermal barrier material 48 (steps 202, 204). The REO coat 50 in this disclosed
non-limiting embodiment includes a layer of rare earth zirconate 56 (Figure 5; step
206) of about 1-20 mil (0.0254 - 0.508 mm) thickness between the layer of rare earth
apatite 54 and the thermal barrier material 48. That is, the layer of rare earth zirconate
56 is applied to the thermal barrier material 48 then the rare earth apatite 54 is
applied to the rare earth zirconate 56. The layer of rare earth zirconate 56 may be
a fluorite or pyrochlore and may also be applied via, SPS or SPPS. Example rare earth
zirconates include, but are not limited to, yttrium zirconate, neodymium zirconate,
gadolinium zirconate, lanthanide series zirconates such as those from elements #57
(La) through #71 (Lu), and mixtures thereof.
[0041] With reference to Figure 6, in another disclosed non-limiting embodiment, the REO
coat 50 is non-homogenous. In one disclosed non-limiting embodiment, the non-homogenous
REO coat 50 is formed as a graded layer 58 (Figure 7). In one example, the graded
layer 58 is deposited as 100% rare earth zirconate 54 and gradually transitions to
100% rare earth apatite 54 over a predetermined distance or number of layers. The
desired gradient is readily deposited via SPS or SPPS. It should be appreciated that
various gradients may be provided.
[0042] In another disclosed non-limiting embodiment, the non-homogenous REO coat 50 is formed
as a randomly dispersed system layer 60 (Figure 8). The randomly dispersed system
layer 60 is readily deposited via SPS or SPPS. In one example, a randomly dispersed
system includes rare earth zirconate 56 and rare earth apatite 54 in a ratio between
80% - 20% rare earth apatite 54, with a preferred ratio of 60-40%. By providing pre-reacted
powder dispersed within the stabilized zirconia, there will be a suitable amount of
rare earth apatite 54 that will begin to form a barrier layer while reducing the increases
in thermal conductivity that a fully dense homogenous layer (Figure 3) would otherwise
provide.
[0043] With reference to Figure 9, in another disclosed non-limiting embodiment, the REO
coat 50 includes a layer of rare earth zirconate 56 of about 1-20 mil (0.0254 - 0.508
mm) thick between the thermal barrier material 48 and the non-homogenous REO coat
50. That is, this embodiment is similar to the Figure 4 embodiment but with the top
layer being a non-homogenous layer such as in Figures 7 or 8.
[0044] With reference to Figure 10, in another disclosed non-limiting embodiment, the REO
coat 50 includes multiple additional alternating layers of rare earth zirconate 56
and non-homogenous rare earth apatite 54. It should be appreciated that various numbers
of layers may be provided. Further, one or more graded layers 58 may be graded or
a randomly dispersed system.
[0045] The use of SPS and SPPS as a deposition methodology for the REO coat 50 facilitates
a wide range of chemistries and microstructures to simultaneously optimize cost and
strain tolerance.
[0046] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar references in the context
of description (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed
to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or specifically
contradicted by context. The modifier "about" used in connection with a quantity is
inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it
includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity).
All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are
independently combinable with each other. It should be appreciated that relative positional
terms such as "forward," "aft," "upper," "lower," "above," "below," and the like are
with reference to the normal operational attitude of the vehicle and should not be
considered otherwise limiting.
[0047] Although the different non-limiting embodiments have specific illustrated components,
the embodiments of this invention are not limited to those particular combinations.
It is possible to use some of the components or features from any of the non-limiting
embodiments in combination with features or components from any of the other non-limiting
embodiments.
[0048] It should be appreciated that like reference numerals identify corresponding or similar
elements throughout the several drawings. It should also be appreciated that although
a particular component arrangement is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, other
arrangements will benefit herefrom.
[0049] Although particular step sequences are shown, described, and claimed, it should be
understood that steps may be performed in any order, separated or combined unless
otherwise indicated and will still benefit from the present disclosure.
[0050] The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within.
Various non-limiting embodiments are disclosed herein, however, one of ordinary skill
in the art would recognize that various modifications and variations in light of the
above teachings will fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is therefore
to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure may
be practiced other than as specifically described. For that reason the appended claims
should be studied to determine true scope and content.
1. A process for coating a component, comprising:
applying a bond coat (46) on a substrate (44) of an component;
applying a thermal barrier material (48) to said bond coat (46); and
applying a rare earth apatite (54) to said thermal barrier material (46).
2. The process as recited in claim 1, wherein said rare earth apatite (54) is formed
as Ca2+yRE8+x(SiO4)6O2+3x/2+y in which -2<y<2 and -2<x<2.
3. A gas turbine engine component, comprising:
a superalloy substrate (44);
a bond coat (46) on said substrate (44);
a thermal barrier material (48) on said bond coat (46); and
a rare earth apatite (54) on said thermal barrier material (48), said rare earth apatite
(54) is formed as a Ca2+yRE8+x(SiO4)6O2+3x/2+y in which -2<y<2 and -2<x<2.
4. The process or component as recited in claim 2 or 3, wherein the 0<y<2 and - 2<x<0.
5. The process or component as recited in any preceding claim, wherein said rare earth
apatite (54) is formed as a layer with a thickness of about 0.05-20 mil (0.00127-0.508
mm).
6. The process or component as recited in any preceding claim, further comprising (applying)
a layer of rare earth zirconate (56) between said thermal barrier material (48) and
said rare earth apatite (54).
7. The process or component as recited in claim 6, wherein said layer of rare earth zirconate
(56) is formed as a layer with a thickness of about 1-20 mil (0.0254 - 0.508 mm).
8. The process as recited in any of claims 1, 2 or 4 to 7, further comprising mixing
said rare earth apatite (54) and a rare earth zirconate forming a randomly dispersed
system.
9. The component as recited in any of claims 3 to 7, further comprising a rare earth
zirconate (56) mixed with said rare earth apatite (54) to form a randomly dispersed
system.
10. The process or component as recited in claim 8 or 9, wherein said randomly dispersed
system forms a ratio between 80% - 20% rare earth apatite.
11. The process or component as recited in claim 8 or 9, wherein said randomly dispersed
system forms a ratio between 60% - 40% rare earth apatite.
12. The process as recited in any of claims 1, 2 or 4 to 7, further comprising mixing
said rare earth apatite (54) and a rare earth zirconate forming a graded layer (58).
13. The component as recited in any of claims 3 to 7, further comprising a rare earth
zirconate (56) mixed with said rare earth apatite (54) to form a graded layer (58).
14. The process or component as recited in claim 12 or 13, wherein said graded layer (58)
is deposited as 100% rare earth zirconate at said thermal barrier material (48) and
gradually transition to 100% rare earth apatite at an exposed surface.
15. The process or component as recited in any preceding claim, wherein said rare earth
apatite (54) is applied via one of Suspension Plasma Spray (SPS) and Solution Precursor
Plasma Spray (SPPS).