Stresses In Thermal Barrier Coatings Research Articles

Characterization of stress in a thermal barrier coating during CMAS corrosion using Ce3+ photoluminescence spectroscopy

AbstractThe stress caused by calcium–magnesium–alumino–silicate (CMAS) corrosion is a critical factor in thermal barrier failure of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). For the service safety of TBCs, it is important to characterize the stress inside TBCs during CMAS corrosion using a nondestructive and accurate method. In this study, photoluminescence spectroscopy technology was applied to characterize the stress in TBCs during CMAS corrosion. First, TBC specimens containing yttrium–aluminum–garnet doped with trace Ce3+ ions (YAG:Ce3+)/yttrium oxide partially stabilized zirconia double‐ceramic‐layer were prepared by atmospheric plasma spraying. Then, CMAS corrosion experiments were performed using the TBC specimens, and a mechanical model was derived based on Ce3+ photoluminescence spectroscopy to investigate the stress in the TBCs. Finally, the microstructure, extent of CMAS corrosion and stress field in TBC specimens, was characterized. The results reveal that the penetration of CMAS leads to local stress concentration and a nonlinear stress distribution from the outside surface to the inside of the YAG:Ce3+ layer. In addition, an increase in corrosion time, temperature, and CMAS concentration can significantly influence the evolution of the stress field in TBCs.

Effect of Thermal Growth Oxide Composition and Morphology on Local Stresses in Thermal Barrier Coatings

The failure of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) during operation depends mainly on the thermal mismatch between the ceramic top coat (TC) and the metal bond coat (BC). The thermal mismatch at the interface is influenced by the dynamic changes in the composition and morphology of the thermally grown oxide (TGO) between TC and BC during thermal cycling. This work focuses on the establishment of a TGO dynamic growth model, which considers the changes in TGO composition and morphology for investigating the effect of dynamic growth of TGO on local mismatch stresses during thermal cycling. The results show that the sharp locations at the TGO/BC interface are more prone to high tensile stresses during thermal cycling due to the uneven growth behavior of TGO, leading to crack initiation. The valley region of the interface is in a state of compressive stress σxx during the early stages of thermal exposure. The peak region preferentially forms a concentration of tensile stress σyy. Once large-scale "layer" (Ni, Co)Al2O4-based spinel-like mixed oxides(MO) growth occurs in TGO, the stress σxx changes from compressive stress to tensile stress in the valley region, eventually forming high tensile stress (Max: +158 MPa). The maximum tensile stress σyy in the peak region is increased to 256 MPa, which is more than two times larger than the early period of thermal exposure. As a result, the dramatic changes in local stresses seriously affect the time and location of microcracks.

Numerical Simulation of Initial Residual Stress in Thermal Barrier Coatings: Planar geometry model

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are one of the key materials of turbines for propulsion and power generation. A typical TBCs system generally contains four layers, i.e. top ceramic coat (TC), thermally grown oxide (TGO), bond coat (BC) and substrate. The material parameters （such as Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio and thermal expansion coefficient） of each layer will result in the different cooling velocity of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) system during the deposition process. Initial residual stresses in TBCs occur after cooling to the ambient, which play an important role for evaluating the failure and reliability of TBCs. In this paper, the initial residual stresses of a planar TBCs model were obtained by finite element method, the effects of cooling kinds and the thickness of TC and TGO on the fields of initial residual stresses were also considered. The results may be useful for the optimization of TBCs system design and preparation.

Study of the Evolution of the Residual Stresses in Thermal Barrier Coatings from Manufacturing to Its Operation Work

Residual stresses’ magnitude generated by deposition, quenching stress, thermal stress operation temperature, and infiltration in the thermal barrier coating (TBC) of gas turbines was determined. A thermal barrier coating was manufactured by the deposition of two layers, CoNiCrAlY and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), on an AISI 304 stainless steel substrate. The CoNiCrAlY was deposited by using an HVOF gun and the YSZ by an atmospheric plasma spray (APS). The TBCs were heat-treated at 1250 °C, with a CMAS (CaO, MgO, Al2O3, and SiO2) attack with a concentration of 10 mg/cm2 for 6 h in order to evaluate the evolution of the state of residual stresses in the coating at a high temperature. Residual stresses were determined by employing the modified layer removal method for duplex coatings (MLRMDC), ANSYS Version R19.2, and the equations proposed by Noda et al. In the YSZ, the total maximum residual stresses were 139 MPa in compression, and in the CoNiCrAlY, the maximum residual stress was 214 MPa in compression. The factor that has the largest effect on the magnitude of residual stresses was the infiltration of the CMAS in the YSZ.

Thermomechanical simulations of the transient coupled effect of thermal cycling and oxidation on residual stresses in thermal barrier coatings

Failures in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are associated with the build-up of residual stresses that result from thermal cycling, growth strain, and stress relaxation associated with high temperatures. To address these highly coupled processes, three aspects were examined. The first was concerned with the effect of thermal cycling and thermal gradients on the resulting residual stress fields. The second with the dynamic growth of thermally grown oxide (TGO) layer using novel finite volume-finite element algorithms. In the third, we examined the effect of stress relaxation on the (TC/TGO) interface. We modelled these highly coupled processes using transient thermomechanical finite element simulations. The temperature profile and state of oxidation variation with time were imported as a predefined field and solved in ANSYS nonlinear platform. Our results revealed that stress relaxation of the TGO stresses at high temperatures leads to a reduction in the TC/TGO interfacial stresses. They also revealed that the use of the isotropic hardening rule limits the increase in plastic deformation of the bond coat (BC), while the use of kinematic hardening rule leads to ratcheting. Furthermore, we highlighted the importance of considering uneven growth of TGO on the resulting stress field.

Measurement of Stress Optic Coefficient for Thermal Barrier Coating Based on Terahertz Time-Domain Spectrum

The residual stress introduced inside the thermal barrier coating (TBC) top coating during manufacturing and service processes is one of the main causes of thermal barrier failure. Therefore, a nondestructive and accurate measurement of the residual stress in top coating is essential for the evaluation of TBC life. The terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) technique, which is based on the calibration or measurement of the stress optical coefficients of the measured materials, is applicable to the measuring of internal stress of nonmetal materials. In this work, to characterize the internal stress in TBC, the stress optic coefficient of the TBC top coating was measured by reflection-type THz-TDS. First, the mechanics model for the internal stress measurement in a TBC top coating was derived based on the photoelastic theory. Then, the THz time-domain spectra of TBC specimens under different loadings were measured in situ by a reflection-type THz-TDS system. Finally, the unimodal fitting, multimodal fitting and barycenter methods were used to carry out the data processing of the THz time-domain spectral-characteristic peaks. By comparing the processed results, the results using the barycenter method were regarded as the calibrated stress optical coefficient of the TBC due to the method’s sufficient accuracy and stability.

Optimal Data Processing Method for the Application of Eu3+ Photoluminescence Piezospectroscopy in Thermal Barrier Coatings

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are widely used to protect gas turbine blades but internal stress near the interface in TBCs is one of the main causes of thermal barrier failure under thermal cycling. A non-destructive inspection technique based on Eu3+ photoluminescence piezospectroscopy has been successfully used to analyze the residual stress in TBCs, but systematic and quantitative evaluation of data processing is still needed, especially with respect to the identification of peak positions. In this work, processing methods for Eu3+ photoluminescence spectroscopy data were studied to characterize TBC internal stress. Both physical and numerical experiments were carried out where Eu3+ luminescence spectra were obtained from a sample of europium-doped yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ:Eu3+) under step-by-step uniaxial loading, and the simulated spectra were numerically deduced from the measured spectra. The peak shifts were then obtained by processing the spectral data in different ways (Gaussian, Lorentzian, pseudo-Voigt fitting, and the barycenter method), and comparing the results. We found that the Gaussian function, rather than the commonly used Lorentzian function, is the most appropriate method for the application of Eu3+ photoluminescence piezospectroscopy in TBCs because it provides sufficient sensitivity, stability and confidence for quantitative stress analysis.

Effect of TGO thickness, pores, and creep on the developed residual stresses in thermal barrier coatings under cyclic loading using SEM image-based finite element model

Thermal barrier coatings (TBC) allow the metallic internal components of gas turbine engines to operate at elevated temperatures near its melting points. Formation of thermally grown oxide (TGO) layers at the top coat (TC) and bond coat (BC) interface induces cracks in the TC that may lead to complete TBC failure due to spallation. An SEM image-based finite element (FE) model is developed using commercial finite element package ABAQUS to investigate the development of residual stresses resulting from cyclic loading of TBCs. The model includes thermo-mechanical material properties and considers the real interface between the coating layers. The model includes real pores based on an SEM image, taking advantage of image processing techniques. Effect of TC surface roughness and pores on the developed residual stresses during thermal cycling is investigated with respect to different TGO thicknesses. The analysis shows that presence of TC roughness causes stress concentration sites during heating that may force horizontal cracks to initiate and propagate with stress values that are indifferent to the TGO thickness. The pores are found to shift stress concentration regions from the TC/TGO interface to the vicinity of the pores during cooling, and that may cause horizontal cracks to start from within the TC with stresses that increase with TGO thickness. Moreover, the effect of creep for all layers on the generated residual stresses is studied. Considering creep gives lower stresses at the end of cooling, however, stress distribution remains the same with and without creep.

Analytical and Experimental Study of Residual Stresses in Thermal Barrier Coatings Deposited on Gas Turbine Blades in Laboratory Dimensions by APS and HVOF Methods to Calculate the Optimal Thickness

The constant need to use gas turbines has led to the need to increase turbines' inlet temperature. When the temperature reaches a level higher than the material's tolerance, phenomena such as creep, changes in mechanical properties, oxidation, and corrosion occur at high speeds, which affects the life of the metal material. Nowadays, operation at high temperatures is made possible by proceedings such as cooling and thermal insulation by thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). The method of applying thermal barrier coatings on the turbine blade creates residual stresses. In this study, residual stresses in thermal barrier coatings applied by APS and HVOF methods are compared by Tsui–Clyne analytical model and XRD test. The analytical model results are in good agreement with the experimental results (between 2 and 8% error), and the HVOF spray method creates less residual stress than APS. In the end, an optimal thickness for the coating is calculated to minimize residual stress at the interface between the bond coat and top coat layers.

Evolution of internal cracks and residual stress during deposition of TBC

Thermal barrier coating (TBCs) are ceramic coatings that are deposited on metallic substrates to provide high thermal resistance. Residual stress is among the critical factors that affect the performance of TBCs. It evolves during the process of coating deposition and in-service loading. High residual stresses result in significant cracking and premature delamination of the TBC layer. In the present study, a hybrid computational approach is used to predict the evolution of internal cracks and residual stress in TBC. Smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) is first used to model the deposition of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) layer that contains various interfaces and micropores on a steel substrate. Then, three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis is utilized to predict the evolution of internal cracks and residual stress in the ceramic coating layer. It is found that multiple cracks emerge during the solidification of the coating layer due to the development of high tensile (quenching) stresses. The cracking density is higher at regions near the coating interface. It is also found that compressive (residual) stresses are developed when the deposited coating is cooled to room temperature. The residual stress state is equibiaxial and nonlinear across the thickness/width of the TBC layer. The residual stress profile predicted compares well with that of hole drilling experiments.

Numerical simulation on internal stress evolution based on formation of thermally grown oxide in thermal barrier coatings

A finite element (FE) analysis method was developed to estimate internal stress in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). The evolution equation of thermally grown oxide (TGO) based on oxygen diffusion in a bond coat (BC) was combined with the inelastic constitutive equation for a top coat (TC). Thermal cycling analysis to simulate start and stop of the gas turbine was performed using the developed analysis code. To investigate the influence of the TC/BC interfacial profile on thermal stress in the TBC, the profile of the analysis model was modeled with a sinusoidal waveform, with varying combinations of wavelength and amplitude. The results revealed that the growth of the TGO layer was a principal factor that increases thermal stress in the TC. The stress was therefore increased as it approached the TC/BC interface. Additionally, an investigation of the effect of the TC/BC interfacial profile on the stress revealed that stress increases with the increase in radius of curvature at the top of the sinusoidal waveform.

Effect of High Temperature Exposure on Residual Stress in Thermal Barrier Coating

Effect of High Temperature Exposure on Residual Stress in Thermal Barrier Coating

A multilayer structure shear lag model applied in the tensile fracture characteristics of supersonic plasma sprayed thermal barrier coating systems based on digital image correlation

We developed a multilayer structure shear lag model used in analyzing tensile fracture behavior of supersonic plasma sprayed 8 wt% yttria-stabilized zirconia thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). The closed-form solutions of plane and shear stresses were deduced by using the shear lag model. Dynamic strain fields, cracking nucleation and propagation features of TBCs during tensions were in-situ monitored by non-contact digital image correlation (DIC) measurement system. The evolutions of plane and shear stresses in TBCs were estimated by the above closed-form solutions. Using in-situ measurement results of DIC, we further obtained the fracture strengths, interface shear strengths, fracture energy and fracture toughness of TBCs, and summarized the whole tensile fracture mechanisms of TBCs. This shear lag model with the aid of DIC is useful for measuring the mechanical properties of other novel multiple-layer structure brittle coating/ductile substrate systems.

Diffraction grating strain gauge method: error analysis and its application for the residual stress measurement in thermal barrier coatings

Diffraction grating strain gauge (DGSG) is an optical strain measurement method. Based on this method, a six-spot diffraction grating strain gauge (S-DGSG) system has been developed with the advantages of high and adjustable sensitivity, compact structure, and non-contact measurement. In this study, this system is applied for the residual stress measurement in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) combining the hole-drilling method. During the experiment, the specimen’s location is supposed to be reset accurately before and after the hole-drilling, however, it is found that the rigid body displacements from the resetting process could seriously influence the measurement accuracy. In order to understand and eliminate the effects from the rigid body displacements, such as the three-dimensional (3D) rotations and the out-of-plane displacement of the grating, the measurement error of this system is systematically analyzed, and an optimized method is proposed. Moreover, a numerical experiment and a verified tensile test are conducted, and the results verify the applicability of this optimized method successfully. Finally, combining this optimized method, a residual stress measurement experiment is conducted, and the results show that this method can be applied to measure the residual stress in TBCs.

A Powerful Tool to Measure Residual Stress in Thermal Barrier Coatings: With the Photoluminescence Piezo-Spectroscopy Method, Spallation Life Can Be Analytically Predicted

The Invention of the jet engine was made possible through the advancement/development of a heatresistant structural alloy during the 1930s and 1940s. Fueled by the military need for jet engines and the industry demand for gas turbines, new alloy compositions, and casting processes continued to push the temperature capability and mechanical strength of turbine blades [1], [2].

Phase composition and residual stresses in thermal barrier coatings

X-ray study of the phase composition and residual stresses distribution in two-layer APS coatings showed that the ceramic layer consists of t-ZrO2 phase with tetragonal lattice and the metal underlayer γ-solid solution based on nickel. In the transition zone thickness of ∼ 100 pm as the distance from the surface was revealed a gradual transition from t-ZrO2 to γ-solid solution. Increase in the specific volume of the metal underlayer resulting TGO growing leads to the formation of this layer high compressive stresses up to 600 MPa. In this case, the ceramic layer contains tensile stress up to 200 MPa.

Effect of the Porosity on Thermal Stress within TBCs Using Finite Element Method

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) with NiCoCrAlY bond-coats (BC) and ceramic top coats (TBC) were prepared on IN738 superalloy by plasma spraying technology. Effect of porosity on the maximum stress under thermal cycling conditions was carried out by using finite element software ANSYS. The results showed that maximum axial thermal tensile stress in TBCs decreases from 868MPa to 498MPa with the increase of bond-coats porosity near the TGO/BC interface, and the maximum axial thermal compressive stress decreases from 1060MPa to 711MPa. The stress distribution changes with increasing bond-coats porosity near the TGO/BC interface. The simulation results are in agreement with the experiments, exhibiting a clearly evidence that the porous TBCs have a longer lifetime.

試験片の曲率に基づく遮熱コーティングの残留応力形成機構の検討

試験片の曲率に基づく遮熱コーティングの残留応力形成機構の検討

Phase composition and residual stresses in thermal barrier coatings

The phase composition and the residual stresses in multilayer thermal barrier coatings, which consist of an external ZrO2–8Y2O3 ceramic layer, an intermediate gradient (metal ceramic) layer, and a transient metallic NiCrAlY sublayer, are studied. It is shown that an increase in the specific volume of the metallic sublayer as a result of the formation of thermal growing oxide Al2O3 generates high compressive stresses in this sublayer. The ceramic layer undergoes tensile stresses in this case. A method is proposed to estimate the stresses in gradient coatings from X-ray diffraction results.

Effects of coating spray speed and convective heat transfer on transient thermal stress in thermal barrier coating system during the cooling process of fabrication

The coating spray speed and the convective heat transfer have significant effects on transient thermal stress in TBCs (Thermal Barrier Coating system) during the cooling process of fabrication. In this work, a simplified analytical model is developed firstly, to predict the transient thermal stress in YSZ (ZrO2–8%Y2O3) coating and shear stress at the coating-substrate interface during the cooling process of fabrication. Then, based on this simplified model, the effects of coating spray speed which determines the initial temperature field of YSZ coating, and the convective heat transfer coefficient between YSZ coating and the environment on transient thermal stress in TBCs during the cooling process have been studied. The results indicate that the YSZ coating spray speed has a significant effect on the transient thermal stress in YSZ coating and the shear stress near the edge of YSZ–substrate interface; effect of convective heat transfer on the thermal stress is more significant when convective heat transfer coefficient is bigger enough, and for a given convective heat transfer the effect becomes smaller as the cooling down process going on.