Thermal conductivity prediction for thermal barrier coatings

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-1-2010

Abstract

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are used in gas turbine engines to achieve a higher working temperature and thus lead to a better efficiency. Yttria-Stabilized-Zirconia (YSZ), a material with low thermal conductivity, is commonly used as the TBC top coat to provide the thermal barrier effect. In this paper, an analytical model is proposed to estimate the effective thermal conductivity of the TBCs based on the microstructures. This model includes the micro structure details, such as grain size, pore size, volume fraction of pores, and the interfacial resistance. To validate the model, two sets of TBC samples were fabricated and tested for thermal conductivity and associated microstructures. The first set of samples were disk shaped YSZ-Al 2O3 samples fabricated using a pressing machine. The YSZ-Al2O3 powder mixture was 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wt% Al2O3/YSZ powder ratio. The second set of samples were fabricated by Atmospheric Plasma Spray process for two different microstructure configurations, standard (STD) and vertically cracked (VC), at two different thicknesses, 400 and 700 μm respectively. A laser flash system was used to measure the thermal conductivity of the coatings. Experiments were performed over the temperature range from 100°C to 800°C. The porosity of the YSZ samples was measured using a mercury porosimetry analyzer, POREMASTER 33 system. A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to study the microstructure of the samples. It is observed that the microstructure and the porosity are directly linked with the thermal conductivity values. The relationship of the properties to the real microstructure determines the validity of the proposed model. Copyright © 2010 by ASME.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (IMECE)

First Page

1475

Last Page

1484

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS