Thermal Barrier coatings protect gas turbine components from heat damage and corrosion at higher temperatures, enabling greater fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. When these coatings chip and spall in isolated spots, current repair practice requires expensive engine teardown and component recoating. In situ spot patching could greatly reduce these repair costs. This project will develop a novel process to create nanostructured thermal barrier coatings. These coatings will spot patch failed coatings. When used as a complete coating, nanostructured coatings will require fewer repairs and perform better than existing coatings. A nanostructured thermal barrier coating will be deposited using commercial nanopowders as feedstock. Properties of this coating will be measured to demonstrate the potential for spot patching and enhanced original coating performance.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Nanostructured thermal barriers, benefit DOEs Advanced Turbine and Engine Systems programs. They can leverage the U.S. in international competition for aircraft engine sales and repair markets. Applying this technology to corrosion barriers, wear barriers, electronic materials, and three dimensional nanostructured products will advance U.S. competitiveness with nanostructured materials processing.
