High performance nanostructured ZrO2 based thermal barrier coatings deposited by high efficiency supersonic plasma spraying

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 257; no. 16; pp. 7210 - 7216
• Main Authors: BAI, Y, HAN, Z. H, LI, H. Q, XU, C, XU, Y. L, WANG, Z, DING, C. H, YANG, J. F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier 01.06.2011
• Subjects: Coating; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Deposition; Exact sciences and technology; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; Physics; Plasma spraying; Thermal barrier coatings; Thermal conductivity; Zirconium dioxide; Nanoparticles; Zirconia; Inorganic compounds; Zirconium oxide; Thermal shock resistance; Thermal shock; Nanograins; Transition element compounds; Thermal barriers; Plasma arc spraying; Thermal conductivity
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2011.03.092

In this paper, the nanostructured zirconia (ZrO2) based thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) deposited by high efficiency supersonic atmospheric plasma spraying (SAPS), were described. The phase composition, microstructure, thermal conductivity and thermal shock resistance of as-sprayed coating were studied. The results revealed that the as-sprayed coating was composed of tetragonal zirconia and consisted of some unmelted nanoparticles (30-50nm) and nanograins (60-110nm), and the latter was the main microstructure of the coating. The nanograins and homogeneously distributed micro-cracks of coating resulted in not only low thermal conductivity, but also high thermal cycling lives. Besides, the failure process of coating during thermal cycles was also investigated in the present work.