Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Thermal Gradient Behavior of TBCs Subjected to a Laser Gradient Test Rig: Simulating an Air-to-Air Combat Flight

  • Peer Reviewed
  • Published:
Journal of Thermal Spray Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A computer-controlled laser test rig (using a CO2 laser) offers an interesting alternative to traditional flame-based thermal gradient rigs in evaluating thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). The temperature gradient between the top and back surfaces of a TBC system can be controlled based on the laser power and a forced air back-face cooling system, enabling the temperature history of complete aircraft missions to be simulated. An air plasma spray-deposited TBC was tested and, based on experimental data available in the literature, the temperature gradients across the TBC system (ZrO2-Y2O3 YSZ top coat/CoNiCrAlY bond coat/Inconel 625 substrate) and their respective frequencies during air-to-air combat missions of fighter jets were replicated. The missions included (i) idle/taxi on the runway, (ii) take-off and climbing, (iii) cruise trajectory to rendezvous zone, (iv) air-to-air combat maneuvering, (v) cruise trajectory back to runway, and (vi) idle/taxi after landing. The results show that the TBC thermal gradient experimental data in turbine engines can be replicated in the laser gradient rig, leading to an important tool to better engineer TBCs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. D.J. Wortman, B.A. Nagaraj, and E.C. Duderstadt, Thermal Barrier Coatings for Gas Turbine Use, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 1989, 121, p 433-440

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. A. Feuerstein, J. Knapp, T. Taylor, A. Ashary, A. Bolcavage, and N. Hitchman, Technical and Economical Aspects of Current Thermal Barrier Coating Systems for Gas Turbine Engines by Thermal Spray and EBPVD: A Review, J. Therm. Spray Technol., 2008, 17(2), p 199-213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. T. Patterson, A. Leon, B. Jayaraj, J. Liu, and Y.-H. Sohn, Thermal Cyclic Lifetime and Oxidation Behavior of Air Plasma Sprayed CoNiCrAlY Bond Coats for Thermal Barrier Coatings, Surf. Coat. Technol., 2008, 203, p 437-441

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. R. Vassen, F. Cernushi, G. Rizzi, A. Scrivani, N. Markocsan, L. Ostergren, A. Kloosterman, R. Mevrel, J. Feist, and J. Nicholls, Recent Activities in the Field of Thermal Barrier Coatings Including Burner Rig Testing in the European Union, Adv. Eng. Mater., 2008, 10(1), p 907-921

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. D. Zhu and R.A. Miller, Thermal Conductivity and Elastic Modulus Evolution of Thermal Barrier Coatings under High Heat Flux Conditions, J. Therm. Spray Technol., 2000, 9(2), p 175-180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. J. Manara, M. Arduini-Schuster, H.-J. Ratzer-Scheibe, and U. Schulz, Infrared-Optical Properties and Heat Transfer Coefficients of Semitransparent Thermal Barrier Coatings, Surf. Coat. Technol., 2009, 203, p 1059-1068

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. A.J.A. Mom and J.C. Hersbach, Performance of High Temperature Coatings on F100 Turbine Blades under Simulated Service Conditions, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 1987, 87, p 361-367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. www.saabgroup.com/en/Air/Gripen-Figher-System/. Accessed April 1st, 2014.

  9. W.J. Parker, R.J. Jenkins, G.L. Abbott, and C.P. Butler, Flash Method of Determining Thermal Diffusivity, Heat Capacity, and Thermal Conductivity, J. Appl. Phys., 1961, 32(9), p 1679-1684

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. www.haynesintl.com/pdf/h3073.pdf. Accessed April 1st, 2014.

  11. H. Wang, R.B. Dinwiddie, and W.D. Porter, Development of a Thermal Transport Database for Air Plasma Sprayed ZrO2-Y2O3 Thermal Barrier Coatings, J. Therm. Spray Technol., 2010, 19(5), p 879-883

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. www.oerlikon.com/ecomaXL/files/metco_DSMTS-0092.5_CoNiCrAlY.pdf&download=1. Accessed October 12th, 2014.

  13. T.J. Patterson and Y.-H. Sohn, http://etd.fcla.edu/CF/CFE0002400/Patterson_Travis_J_200812_MS.pdf. Accessed October 12th, 2014.

  14. Y. Tan, J.P. Longtin, S. Sampath, and H. Wang, Effect of the Starting Microstructure on the Thermal Properties of As-Sprayed and Thermally Exposed Plasma-Sprayed YSZ Coatings, J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 2009, 92(3), p 710-716

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the great contributions of the following technical officers of the NRC Boucherville site. Without them, this work could not have been done: Bernard Harvey and Mario Lamontagne for engineering the laser rig. Jean-Claude Tremblay for TBC production and laser rig operation. David Delagrave for metallography prepping and Karine Theberge for performing SEM-EDX-XRD analyses. The authors are also thankful to Prof. Frank W. Zok (University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA) for sharing with the NRC key sets of information regarding laser rig engineering. Finally, the authors would like to acknowledge the contribution of the NRC Chief Test Pilot (CF-18 Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) retired Capt. Paul “Rose” Kissmann) and RCAF CF-18 fighter pilots for providing feedback on the fighter mission profile.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Research Council of Canada, 75 de Mortagne Blvd., Boucherville, QC, J4B 6Y4, Canada

    Rogerio S. Lima & Basil R. Marple

  2. Vac Aero International, 1365 Newton Street, Boucherville, QC, J4B 5H2, Canada

    P. Marcoux

Authors
  1. Rogerio S. Lima
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Basil R. Marple
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. Marcoux
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rogerio S. Lima.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lima, R.S., Marple, B.R. & Marcoux, P. Thermal Gradient Behavior of TBCs Subjected to a Laser Gradient Test Rig: Simulating an Air-to-Air Combat Flight. J Therm Spray Tech 25, 282–290 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11666-015-0311-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11666-015-0311-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation