Search NASA⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Michael J. Presby

Publications and source records attributed to Michael J. Presby.

The Development and Use of a Natural Gas / Oxygen Burner Rig for Environmental Barrier Coating and Ceramic Matrix Composite Technology Maturation

This work outlines the development of a new natural gas/oxygen (NG/O 2 ) fueled combustion rig located at the NASA Glenn Research Center for high-temperature environmental durability studies of advanced materials and components at atmospheric pressure. The NG/O 2 burner rig can simulate the high-temperature, high-heat flux, and high-velocity thermal environments encountered in gas turbine engines. It also provides the capability to study environmental effects such as water vapor and other foreign contaminants relevant to these applications. The rig is anticipated to bridge the gap between other laboratory methods such as furnaces, jet-fueled burner rigs, high-heat flux lasers, and more expensive engine rig testing. The NG/O 2 rig is expected to have maximum sample temperature capabilities over 3,000°F (1,649°C) and result in higher water vapor content compared to our Mach 0.3 to Mach 1.0 jet-A burner rigs which is important for characterizing current and next-generation environmental barrier coatings. This paper will provide an overview of the development of the NG/O 2 burner rig, initial characterization, and current research and development efforts on environmental barrier coated ceramic matrix composites.

Burner rig↗

High-Temperature Solid Particle Erosion Behavior of an Environmental Barrier Coating

The solid particle erosion (SPE) behavior of a state-of-the-art environmental barrier coating (EBC) was assessed at 2,192 °F (1,200 °C) using alumina (Al2O3) particulate. The effect of particle velocity, particle size, and impingement angle were investigated. Results show that the erosion damage in the EBC is primarily controlled by particle kinetic energy. In addition, the effect of impingement angle demonstrates the contribution of the tangential component of velocity.

Solid Particle Erosion↗

Natural Gas/Oxygen Burner Rig at The NASA Glenn Materials Research Laboratory

This technical memorandum describes the development of a new natural gas/oxygen (NG/O2) fueled burner rig to be used for high-temperature environmental durability studies of advanced materials and components at atmospheric pressure. The burner simulates the high-temperature, high-heat flux, and high-velocity thermal environments encountered in aerospace applications. It will be used to study environmental effects such as water vapor interactions relevant to advanced gas turbine engine materials such as ceramic matrix composites with protective environmental barrier coatings. The highest sample temperature achieved to date in a study of the oxidation and recession of monolithic silicon carbide is 3000 °F.

Burner Rig↗

Advanced Materials Development under NASA’s Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) Project

The Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) project aims to develop small core turbofan engine technologies that will enable fuel burn reductions, additional use of electric airplane systems through power extraction, and to advance engine operability and compatibility with sustainable aviation fuels. As such, a portfolio of technologies that contribute to raising the pressure, temperature and efficiency of turbofan engine cores needs developed. Included in HyTEC’s technology portfolio to enable these advancements are enhanced combustor liner materials and higher temperature capable turbine blades and vanes manufactured using ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) and environmental barrier coatings (EBCs). These technologies are being developed and tested in laboratory-scale relevant environments to advance the technology readiness level (TRL) to 4 or 5, before moving into an engine core demonstrator to raise the TRL to 6. A new natural gas/oxygen burner rig facility will be used to simulate turbine engine relevant environments at the laboratory/coupon scale. In addition, improvements to enable sub-element, and more complex component testing in NASA Glenn’s combustor facility (CE-5) will be presented.

Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs)↗

Thermochemical/Thermomechanical Synergies in High-Temperature Solid Particle Erosion of CMAS-Exposed EBCs

Environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) are an enabling technology for the use of SiC-based ceramic matrix composites in next generation gas turbine engines. In the extreme engine environment, EBCs must be able to withstand a variety of individual damage mechanisms and their interactions with each other. Ingested particulates/debris can cause both thermochemical and thermomechanical degradation of EBCs. Siliceous debris primarily based on calcium magnesium aluminosilicates (CMAS) can melt and infiltrate and/or react with EBCs above 1200°C. Similarly, ingested debris can lead to mechanical damage and recession of coatings due to particulate erosion. Both modes of degradation can occur simultaneously during engine operation, and it is crucial to comprehensively understand the mechanisms of coating failure due to high-temperature particulate interactions. This study assesses the erosion durability of Yb 2 Si 2 O 7 -based EBCs exposed to CMAS of various loads in NASA Glenn’s Erosion Burner Rig Facility. CMAS exposures and erosion testing were carried out at 1316°C. The effects of CMAS loading and exposure time on EBC erosion durability were evaluated using Al 2 O 3 as an erodent material.

CMAS↗

The Development and Use of a Natural Gas / Oxygen Burner Rig for Environmental Barrier Coating and Ceramic Matrix Composite Technology Maturation

This work outlines the development of a new natural gas/oxygen (NG/O2) fueled combustion rig located at the NASA Glenn Research Center for high-temperature environmental durability studies of advanced materials and components at atmospheric pressure. The NG/O2 burner rig can simulate the high-temperature, high-heat flux, and high-velocity thermal environments encountered in gas turbine engines. It also provides the capability to study environmental effects such as water vapor and other foreign contaminants relevant to these applications. The rig is anticipated to bridge the gap between other laboratory methods such as furnaces, jet-fueled burner rigs, high-heat flux lasers, and more expensive engine rig testing. The NG/O2 rig is expected to have maximum sample temperature capabilities over 3,000°F (1,649°C) and result in higher water vapor content compared to our Mach 0.3 to Mach 1.0 jet-A burner rigs which is important for characterizing current and next-generation environmental barrier coatings. This paper will provide an overview of the development of the NG/O2 burner rig, initial characterization, and current research and development efforts on environmental barrier coated ceramic matrix composites.

Burner rig↗

Thermochemical/Thermomechanical Synergies in High Temperature Solid Particle Erosion of CMAS Exposed EBCs

Environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) are an enabling technology for the use of SiC-based ceramic matrix composites in next generation gas turbine engines. In the extreme engine environment, EBCs must be able to withstand a variety of individual damage mechanisms and their interactions with each other. Ingested particulates/debris can cause both thermochemical and thermomechanical degradation of EBCs. Siliceous debris primarily based on calcium magnesium aluminosilicates (CMAS) can melt and infiltrate and/or react with EBCs above >1200°C. Similarly, ingested debris can lead to mechanical damage and recession of coatings due to particulate erosion. Both modes of degradation can occur simultaneously during engine operation, and it is crucial to comprehensively understand the mechanisms of coating failure due to high-temperature particulate interactions. This study assesses the erosion durability of Yb 2 Si 2 O 7 -based EBCs exposed to CMAS of various loads in NASA Glenn’s Erosion Burner Rig Facility. CMAS exposures and erosion testing were carried out at 1316°C. The effects of CMAS loading and exposure time on EBC erosion durability were evaluated using Al2O3 as an erodent material.

EBC↗

Expanding the Capability of A Legacy Combustion Flametube to Test High Temperature Engine Materials in Relevant Environments

New materials and component designs are needed to advance gas turbine engine technology and provide the performance and efficiency needs for future applications. In order to advance these materials, testing in combustion environments is a critical step prior to engine testing. In this work, we detail the design and the fabrication of a materials test sector in a flametube combustor facility. The facility simulates a combustion environment similar to that experienced by components in gas turbine engines. The flow regime is characterized by a combination of high-temperature, high-velocity, high-heat flux, and high-velocity that components experience in gas turbine engines. Exposure of components in this facility allows for the study of combined environmental effects and the impact on both coating and substrate durability. The test facility may operate across a wide range of pressures from 275-400 psig (1,896-2,758 kPa) and an air flow rate of 5 lb/s (2.27 kg/s). While combustion gas temperature is expected in excess of 3,000°F (1,649°C), 900°F (482°C) cooling air may be supplied to the backside of components or test articles. The flametube combustor was previously used to evaluate fuel injectors and combustion products, and the new test configuration will also allow for materials exposure to complex, engine-like conditions. The interior of the Test Section was additively manufactured from GRCop-84 and cryogenically fit and brazed to a stainless steel 304 housing. The use of a copper liner minimizes welds and with active cooling, is expected to provide better durability over traditional hardware using stainless steel or Inconel with a ceramic liner. The Test Section has two opposing removable windows approximately 230 mm x 80 mm that can accommodate articles up to 85 mm tall. This modular design allows for custom platforms to hold coupons, panels, or airfoil shapes to be tested with minimal re-engineering or fabrication. The bolted joint and sealing remains consistent, so any new testing only needs to work within the existing design footprint. This paper will provide an overview of the facility capabilities, design considerations, as well as thermal and structural analysis of the hardware. Future testing of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) airfoils and advanced environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) will also be discussed.

Combustion↗

Thermochemical and microstructural contributions of high temperature particle erosion durability in CMAS exposed EBCs

Particulate/debris damage caused by ingestion of calcium magnesium aluminosilicates (CMAS) hinders the use of environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) to protect SiC-based ceramic matrix composite components in next generation gas turbine engines. Similarly, ingestion of any debris in the engine can lead to mechanical damage and recession of coatings due to particulate erosion. Investigating particulate interactions at relevant engine conditions is crucial in determining limiting mechanisms in the operating lifetime of EBCs. This study assesses the effects of extrinsic phase formation and microstructural changes due to CMAS interactions on the erosion durability of Yb 2 Si 2 O 7 -based EBCs in NASA Glenn’s Erosion Burner Rig Facility. CMAS exposures and erosion testing were carried out at 1316°C. Using 60 µm Al 2 O 3 particles as the erodent material, the effects of CMAS loading on erosion durability at various impingement angles were evaluated.

Jamesa L. Stokes↗

Foreign Object Damage in a Yb2Si2O7 Environmental Barrier Coating

Foreign object damage (FOD) is one of the key damage/failure modes in environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) developed for gas turbine engines. A limiting factor of EBC development is the growth of a SiO2 thermally grown oxide (TGO) layer which exacerbates spallation. While there has been extensive research on FOD in metals, ceramics, and ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), there is a limited understanding of the effects of FOD in EBC systems. Previous work studied the effects of TGO growth on FOD in NASA’s Generation II Ytterbium Disilicate EBC. Recently, it has been shown that the addition of oxide modifiers to the Ytterbium Disilicate EBC resulted in significant reduction in TGO growth. The present work will compare FOD in a modified Ytterbium Disilicate EBC to that of the baseline Ytterbium Disilicate EBC. FOD testing was conducted on both as-processed and steam cycled samples at room temperature using a 1.59mm steel ball projectile with particle velocities ranging from 50–300 m/s at a normal incidence angle. The impact damage was characterized by optical profilometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the cross-sections.

Leland Hoffman↗

Foreign Object Damage in Ytterbium Disilicate Based Environmental Barrier Coatings Modified for Oxidation Resistance

Environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) have been developed as an enabling technology for silicon carbide based ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) in gas turbine engines. Two of the key failure mechanisms identified in EBC systems are foreign object damage (FOD) and the oxidative growth of a SiO 2 thermally grown oxide (TGO) layer that can lead to premature coating spallation. Previously the effects of FOD on NASA’s ytterbium disilicate based EBC were studied and recently it was shown that the addition of oxide modifiers resulted in improved oxidation resistance in the EBC. This work will compare FOD of the baseline ytterbium disilicate EBC to that of the modified EBC. FOD was performed at room temperature using a 1.59 mm hardened steel ball with projectile velocities of 50-300 m/s. Additionally, the effects of oxidation via cyclic steam exposure prior to impact were investigated.

foreign object damage (FOD)↗

A Dynamic Testing Approach for Particulate Erosion–Corrosion for Gas Turbine Coatings

Particle interactions in gas turbine engines can be multicomponent, complex phenomena leading to the degradation of thermal (TBCs) and environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) meant to protect engine components. Ingestion of particles into the engine can lead to recession of coatings due to particle erosion. Similarly, these same particles can become molten, adhere to coatings and result in thermochemical corrosion of coating materials. Particle erosion testing is often carried out where the particles are injected into a gas stream, accelerated within a nozzle, and impinge on sample. Conversely, most molten particle corrosion testing is often done in static laboratory furnaces, which does not capture the dynamic nature of deposition in application. Nevertheless, these damage mechanisms are often tested separately and no single standard exists to test both erosive and corrosive particle interactions with coating materials under relevant operating conditions for gas turbine engines. Understanding the synergies of particle interactions in engines is crucial in determining operating lifetimes of potential coating materials. Such considerations emphasize the need for realistic approaches in standardizing particle interaction testing in combustion environments. The current study outlines initial efforts at NASA Glenn’s Erosion Burner Rig Facility in improving dynamic erosion/corrosion testing methods by assessing the durability of state-of-the-art (SOA) TBC material 7 wt.% yttria stabilized zirconia (7YSZ) as a function of particle deposition rate, burner temperature, and particle size. Calibration data to determine particle deposition rate will be presented, and mass and optical profilometry measurements were utilized to estimate mass/volume loss versus deposition per increment of particulate used over time. Electron microscopy analyses were then carried out to assess coating damage after testing.

TBC↗