The growth kinetics of thermally grown oxide (TGO) silica in Yb-disilicate (YbDS) environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) significantly affects the durability of EBCs. The oxygen permeability can control the TGO growth kinetics and thus could play an essential role in determining EBCs life. Therefore, the oxygen permeability constant of YbDS and TGO is systematically evaluated and quantified in terms of thermodynamics using defect reactions and the parabolic rate constant (kp), respectively. Dry oxygen and wet oxygen conditions as well as different temperatures, partial pressures and top coat modifiers are investigated. The results offer evidence that the oxygen permeability constant for the YbDS top coat is an order of magnitude higher than for the TGO. As such, the TGO hinders the oxidant diffusion stronger, proving to be the diffusion rate controlling layer. Moreover, water vapor strongly increases the oxygen permeability with defect reactions playing a key role. It is suggested that the mass transfer through the top coat is primarily by outward ytterbium ion diffusion and inward oxygen ion movement, with the latter being dominant, particularly in wet environments. The effect of top coat modifiers on oxidant permeation is composition sensitive and seems to be related to their interaction with oxygen ions and their mobility.

This study investigates the phase stability and thermophysical properties of Y 2 O 3 and Yb 2 O 3 co-doped SrHfO 3 (SHYY) powder and bulk material along with the phase stability and microstructure evolution of as-sprayed SHYY coatings during annealing. The powder was synthesized by a solid-state reaction at 1450 °C, showing good phase stability up to 1400 °C. Dilatometry measurements revealed no abnormal changes in the coefficient of thermal expansion over a temperature range of 200-1300 °C. The thermal conductivity of the bulk material was found to be 16% lower than that of SrHfO 3 . Free-standing SHYY coatings deposited by air plasma spraying were also tested. The coatings consisted of SHYY and a minor amount of secondary phase Yb 2 O 3 and exhibited good phase stability during heat treatment at 1400 °C for 288 h. Coating samples examined after 216 h still exhibited a columnar microstructure.