Extended Functionality of Environmentally-Resistant Mo-Si-B-Based Coatings

Abstract

Multiphase Mo-Si-B alloys with compositions which yield the ternary intermetallic Mo5SiB2 (T2) phase as a key microstructure constituent together with the Mo and Mo3Si phases, offer an attractive balance of high melting temperature, oxidation resistance, and mechanical properties. The investigation of reaction kinetics involving the T2 phase enables the analysis of oxidation in terms of diffusion pathways and the design of effective coatings. From this basis, kinetic biasing is used together with pack cementation to develop Mo-Si-B-based multilayered coatings with an aluminoborosilica surface and in situ diffusion barriers with self-healing characteristics for enhanced oxidation resistance. While a combustion environment contains water vapor that can accelerate an attack of silica-based coatings, the Mo-Si-B-based coatings provide oxidation resistance in water vapor up to at least 1,500°C. An exposure to hot ionized gas species generated in an arc jet confirms the robust coating performance in extreme environments. To extend the application beyond Mo-based systems, a two-stage process has been implemented to provide effective oxidation resistance for refractory metal cermets, SiC and ZrB2 ultra-high-temperature composites.