Comparative Study of Different Sealing Methods for Thick Thermal Barrier Coatings

Zirconia based, 8Y₂O₃-ZrO₂ and 22MgO-ZrO₂ thick thermal barrier coatings (1000µm), were studied with different sealing methods for diesel engine applications. Aim of the sealing procedure was to improve hot corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of porous TBC coatings. The surface of the TTBCs was sealed with two different methods, phosphate based sealing treatment and laser glazing. The thickness of the densified top layer in all cases was 50-400µm. XRD analysis showed some minor phase changes and reaction products caused by phosphate based sealing treatment and some crystal orientation changes and phase changes in laser-glazed coatings. The porosity of the outer layer of the sealed coating decreased in all cases, which led to increased microhardness values. The hot corrosion resistance of TTBCs against 60Na₂SO₄ - 40V₂O₅ deposit was determined in isothermal exposure at 650°C for 200 h. Corrosion products and phase changes were studied with XRD after the test. Short-term engine test was performed for the reference coatings (8Y₂O₃- ZrO₂ and 22MgO-ZrO₂) and for the phophate sealed coatings. Engine tests were performed at the maximum load of the engine and it was aimed to evaluate the thermal cycling resistance of the sealed coatings. All the coatings passed the engine test, but some vertical cracks were detected in the phosphate sealed coatings.