Abstract
In modern jet engines, the efficiency of the compressor stages is highly dependent upon the clearance between housing and rotating compressor blades. To control the over-tip leakage, abradable coating systems are applied on the housing. In the high pressure compressor they typically consist of a thermal sprayed multiphase material, comprising a metal matrix combined with a dislocator and/or a solid lubricant as well as a defined level of porosity. In this study, novel material systems have been sprayed via the plasma and flame spray process and compared to reference materials. Resulting microstructures have been analyzed as well as important coating characteristics evaluated, including coating hardness and erosion resistance. Furthermore rig tests were performed to analyse the coatings abradability behaviour under different operation conditions of the compressor.
