Cyclic Oxidation and Interdiffusion Behaviour of a NiCrAlY Coated Powder Metallurgy Beta Gamma TiAl–2Nb–2Mo Alloy

Abstract

A new beta-gamma TiAl–2Nb–2Mo alloy was synthesized using powder metallurgy process and coated with NiCrAlY by air plasma spray technique. The cyclic oxidation behaviour of the coated beta-gamma alloy was investigated at 1,000 °C for up to 800 cycles. During cyclic oxidation testing, titanium nitride layer was found to form at the interface between NiCrAlY and TiAl–2Nb–2Mo and the thickness of the titanium nitride layer increased with oxidation cycles. Additionally, outward diffusion of Ti from the beta-gamma substrate caused the formation of titanium oxides on the coating surface after 630 cycles. Inward diffusion of Ni from NiCrAlY led to the formation of an inner diffusion zone containing NiAlTi and mixture of NiAlTi + TiAl. Due to the spallation of coating scales on the circumferential surface of the button specimens, weight loss was observed after 120 cycles; however, NiCrAlY coating on both top and bottom surfaces of the specimens remained in contact with the substrate for up to 800 cycles. Due to the inward and outward diffusion of various elements, one third of the NiCrAlY coating was consumed after 800 cycles, which suggests the need for diffusion barrier coating at the interface between the NiCrAlY coating and the TiAl–2Nb–2Mo alloy.