Search NASASearch

Engineering topics

Herman, H.

Publications and source records attributed to Herman, H..

Thermal spray processing

Thermal spray processing has been used for a number of years to cost-effecticely apply TBC's for a wide range of heat engine applications. In particular, bond coats are applied by plasma spray and HVOF techniques and partially-stabilized zirconia top coats are applied by plasma spray methods. Thermal spray involves melting and rapid transport of the molten particles to the substrate, where high-rate solidification and coating build-up occur. It is the very nature of this melt processing that leads to the unique layered microstructure, as well as the apparent imperfections, so readily identified with thermal spray. Modeling the process, process-induced residual stresses, and thermal conductivity will be discussed in light of a new understanding of porosity and its anisotropy. Microcracking can be understood using new approaches, allowing a fuller view of the processing-performance connection. Detailed electron microscopic, novel neutron diffraction and fracture analysis of the deposits can lead to a better understanding of how overall microstructure can be controlled to influence critical properties of the deposited TBC system.

Herman, H.

Neutron and X-ray diffraction of plasma-sprayed zirconia-yttria thermal barrier coatings

ZrO2-7.8mol. pct. YO1.5, a fused powder, and ZrO2-8.7mol. pct. YO1.5, a prereacted powder, were plasma-sprayed onto steel substrates. Neutron diffraction and X-ray diffraction of the as-received powder, the powder plasma sprayed into water, as-sprayed coatings, and coatings heat-treated for 10 and 100 h were carried out to study phase transformations and ordering of the oxygen ions on the oxygen sublattice. The as-received fused powder has a much lower monoclinic percentage than does the pre-reacted powder, this resulting in a much lower monoclinic percentage in the coating. Heat treatment increases the percentages of the cubic and monoclinic phases, while decreasing the tetragonal content. An ordered tetragonal phase is detected by the presence of extra neutron diffraction peaks. These phase transformations and ordering will result in volume changes. The implications of these transformations on the performance of partially stabilized zirconia thermal barrier coatings is discussed.

Shankar, N. R.

Phase analysis of plasma-sprayed zirconia-yttria coatings

Phase analysis of plasma-sprayed 8 wt pct-yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thermal barrier coatings and powders was carried out by X-ray diffraction. Step scanning was used for increased peak resolution. Plasma spraying of the YSZ powder into water or onto a steel substrate to form a coating reduced the cubic and monoclinic phases with a simultaneous increase in the tetragonal phase. Heat treatment of the coating at 1150 C for 10 h in an Ar atmosphere increased the amount of cubic and monoclinic phases. The implications of these transformations on coating performance and integrity are discussed.

Shankar, N. R.

Anisotropic thermal expansion effects in plasma-sprayed ZrO2-8 percent Y2O3 coatings

The thermal expansion properties of plasma-sprayed ZrO2-8-wt pct Y2O3 coatings, detached from the substrate, have been examined. Coatings were heat-treated in air or in argon. Anisotropic effects in the longitudinal (planar to the substrate surface) and transverse (perpendicular to the substrate surface) directions were measured and related to the coating structure. The thermal expansion coefficient of the coating is discussed in terms of the material's properties, such as the crack network and interlamellar boundary distribution. A precise model for the expansion behavior of coatings still needs attention, since no description of all of the contributing variables exists. A quantitative analysis of thermal properties of coatings will aid in future design and modeling of coating systems.

Berndt, C. C.

Failure during thermal cycling of plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coatings

The thermal cycling behavior of plasma-sprayed ZrO2-12 wt pct Y2O3 coatings was studied. Coatings were produced with and without bond coats of Ni-Cr-Al-Zr and in some cases the substrates were heated to above the optimum temperature prior to spraying. The coatings (attached to the substrate) were thermal cycled to 1200 C and their cracking behavior was followed by acoustic emission (AE) techniques. It was possible to examine the failure mechanisms by statistical analysis of the AE data and to evaluate the influence of preheating and bond coating. It is shown that the AE spectrum changes when a bond coat is used because of the presence of microcracks which, in turn, dissipate energy and improve the coating integrity. The preheating effect is reflected by a decrease in the peak count rate and an increase in the temperature at which AE activity is initiated.

Berndt, C. C.