Degradation mechanisms of ceramic thermal barrier coatings in corrosive environments
Chemical as well as thermal-mechanical interactions between the ceramics and gas turbine combustion gases/condensates are found to play critical roles in the degradation of porous plasma-sprayed ceramic thermal barrier coatings. The detailed degradation mechanisms of several state-of-the-art ceramic thermal barrier coatings, including several zirconia compositions and a calcium silicate, in corrosive environments are examined in this paper. Approaches to extend coating lifetime are also described.