Abstract
Thermal cycle lifetime is essentially important to the application of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) on the premise of the same thermal resistance. In this study, equivalent thermal insulation conception is introduced to the design of dense vertical crack (DVC) structured TBCs and the lamellar structured TBCs, to fairly compare the lifetime of TBCs with different structure. DVC-structured TBCs with the equivalent thermal insulation to lamellar YSZ TBCs were prepared, and their lifetimes were evaluated by thermal gradient cyclic test. Cross-sectional morphology and phase constitution before and after failure were examined by scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The failure mode was analysed. This study would shed light to further coating structure optimization.