The thermal shock resistance of plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) with different top coats was investigated according to the Japanese Industrial Standard "Testing methods for thermal cycle and thermal shock resistance of thermal barrier coatings" (JIS H 8451:2008). Three types of ceramics powders, namely, Al 2 O 3 , 8 mass % Y 2 O 3 -stabilized ZrO 2 (YSZ) and La 2 Zr 2 O 7 (LZ) were used in the top-coat spray. After the specimens were subjected to a thermal shock, the tensile adhesive strength of the TBCs was measured and the thermal shock resistance as defined in JIS H8451 was determined. The thermal shock properties of the TBCs were found to depend strongly on the chemical composition of the top-coat material. For TBCs with Al 2 O 3 and LZ, the adhesive strength decreased with increasing thermal shock temperature difference (ΔT). On the other hand, little change in the adhesive strength was observed with increasing ΔT for YSZ TBC. From these results, the thermal shock resistance, ΔTc, was determined to be 480 °C for Al 2 O 3 , 680 °C for LZ and more than 880 °C for YSZ TBC. Furthermore, the influence of thermal shock on the adhesive strength of TBCs was investigated in detail through observations of cross-sectional microstructures and fracture surfaces after adhesive testing.

New concept and method of testing for the interconnecting porosity of thermally sprayed nonconductive ceramic coatings is proposed. This process is useful to differentiate the open porosity from the closed porosity. Thermally sprayed ceramic coating with metallic substrate is plated, and the intergranular gaps in the coating are filled by deposited metal. Typically, 304 stainless steel substrate deposited with atmospheric plasma sprayed alumina coating is immersed in copper(II) sulphate bath, and electroplated. Inward of the alumina coating, plating solution penetrates toward the interface of coating/substrate via interconnected porosity, and attains the coating-substrate interface to deposit metallic copper. Deposit of copper is gradually grown up along the coating intergranular. The exposure of deposited copper on the coating surface can be visible. Because these phenomena occur only in the interconnected pore structure, it is easy to differentiate the interconnected porosity from the closed porosity. Also the proposed process suggests the unprecedented possibility of manufacturing method of three-dimensional structure of thermally sprayed ceramic coating.

Thermal cycle resistance of Ni-20Cr, Ni-50Cr and CoNiCrAlY coatings manufactured by air plasma spraying was investigated according to a Japanese Industrial Standard "Testing method for thermal cycle resistance of oxidation resistant metallic coatings (JIS H 8452)” established in 2008. The specimens were exposed at 1000 °C and 1093 °C in air under cyclic heating and cooling condition up to 100 times. The thermal cycle resistance of oxidation-resistant metallic coatings was found to depend strongly on the testing temperature and the chemical composition of the coating materials. In the thermal cycle test at 1000 °C, the remarkable failure was not observed in any specimen. However, in the thermal cycle test at 1093 °C, although the Ni-20Cr coating caused the spalling on the whole surface of coating, the Ni-50Cr and the CoNiCrAlY coatings exhibited the excellent thermal cycle resistance even after applying the thermal cycles of 100 times, The CoNiCrAlY coating showed the mass gain with increasing the numbers of thermal cycle due to the preferential oxidation between the splats of the thermal spray particles. Furthermore, the failure behavior of specimens was investigated in detail by SEM, XRD and EPMA etc.

This paper presents a method, based on push-rod type thermomechanical analysis, for determining the thermal expansion behavior of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). It shows that TMA measurements can provide accurate CTEs for yttria-stabilized zirconia layers as thin as 0.3 mm with good reproducibility and low measurement error (< 5%). The method was also used to assess the effect of annealing on thermal expansion behavior, revealing a slightly monotonic decrease in the CTE of YSZ samples.

“Testing Method for Thermal Cycle and Thermal Shock Resistance of Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC)” is a Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) newly established by the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry in 2008, after deliberations by Japanese Industrial Standards Committee, in accordance with the Industrial Standardization Law. The standard specifies a testing method that evaluates the spalling resistance of TBCs based on operating conditions in gas turbines. This paper provides an overview of the standard along with examples of its use.

“Testing Method for Heat Resistance under Temperature Gradient” is a Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) newly established by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, after deliberations by the Japanese Industrial Standards Committee, in accordance with the Industrial Standardization Law. This standard specified the testing method for heat resistance under temperature gradient of materials and coated members of equipment exposed to high temperature, such as aircraft engines, gas turbines, reciprocating engines, accelerators, power switchgears etc. Three kinds of testing method, such as burner heating test, arc heating test and various beam heating tests are involved.

The Ni-based single crystal superalloy has an excellent performance derive for high temperature fatigue strength. So, the expansion of application has been expected mainly in advanced gas turbine parts. However, it is known that the γ′ microstructure changes inside the material by plastic strain processing and heat-treatment. As a result, the fatigue strength was remarkably reduced. The new phenomenon was found that the B containing alloy coatings formed by thermal spraying restore high temperature fatigue strength of the weakened single crystal superalloy. We introduce the improvement effect of high temperature fatigue strength achieved by means of spraying the B containing alloy to CMSX-4 Ni base alloy substrate produced alterated layer.

A NAS battery cell is comprised of a sodium negative electrode and a sulfur positive electrode separated by a solid electrolyte made of beta-alumina, housed within a cylindrical aluminum container. The container is exposed highly corrosive materials, but have to be designed to deliver 4500 charge/ discharge cycles over a 15-year operating life. Studies have shown that a plasma sprayed Fe-75Cr alloy coating provides an effective protection layer. The major challenge to implementing this technology was the development of methods to apply plasma spray coatings in high volume mass production of the cells. This paper describes the development of high speed plasma spray guns optimized for volume manufacturing conditions, and the quality and reliability of NAS cells using this technology demonstrated over a period of nine years in laboratory tests. In April 2002 TEPCO and NGK decided to launch commercial production of NAS batteries. By April 2003, NGK started operation of a new NAS battery manufacturing facility and plasma sprayed aluminum cell containers are now being produced at a rate of over 1300 per day.

The high temperature oxidation resistance behavior of atmospheric plasma sprayed CoNiCrAlY coating with a thin layer of Cr 2 O 3 employing chromate treatment was investigated. The high-temperature oxidation test was performed at 1423K for 7.2, 14.4 and 32.4ks, respectively. The formation of the oxide layer on the CoNiCrAlY coatings with Cr 2 O 3 thin layer by chromate treatment was compared with that of the non-Cr 2 O 3 thin layer. The oxide layer formed on the both types of MCrAlY coatings grows with increasing the elevated temperature and the holding time. Also, the thickness of the oxide layers was proportional to the square root of time. The thickness of the oxide layer on CoNiCrAlY coatings with the thin layer of Cr 2 O 3 was only 60% as compared with that of the non-Cr 2 O 3 thin layer in high temperature oxidation tests at 1423K.

Hot corrosion behavior of Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBCs) has been studied by comparison between double layer coatings and graded coatings. Two types of oxide ceramics, 8 mass % Y 2 O 3 -ZrO 2 (8YZ) and 2CaOSiO 2 -15mass% CaOZrO 2 (C 2 S-15 CZ), with a bond coating of NiCrAlY were applied to metallic substrates in this study. After a hot corrosion test by V 2 O 5 -Na 2 SO 4 corrosive ashes, hot corrosion behavior of TBC has been investigated by visual inspection, metallography, X-ray diffraction and EPMA. The C 2 S-15%CZ coating reacted with V 2 O 5 only where it was in direct contact with the material. The affected area from the reaction was limited to the coating surface where V 2 O 5 existed. The coating showed adequate hot corrosion-resistance. It was found on the 8YZ coating that Y 2 O 3 , the stabilizing component, particularly reacts with V 2 O 5 and loses its function; this led to partial spalling of the coating. It was observed that the durability of the double layer TBC was largely influenced by the performance of a corrosion resistant NiCrAlY undercoat which provided protection against corrosive components penetrating through the ceramic topcoat. It was observed that the graded coating degraded due to oxidation of NiCrAlY particles which independently existed near the coating surface and affected the durability of TBC.

Electrostatic chucks are a potential alternative to vacuum stages used in semiconductor manufacturing. They have no moving parts; just a thin dielectric layer on an aluminum substrate. This paper explains how the dielectric coating for an electrostatic wafer holder was developed, tested, and optimized for commercial use. It describes the materials (Al 2 O 3 -TiO 2 ) and spraying method (VPS) used, the rationale for selecting them, and the metrics on which they are rated. It explains how to verify that the layers have sufficient resistivity, adsorption properties, and thickness to satisfy application requirements. It also discusses the deoxidation of TiO 2 during spraying and its effect on electrical properties. Paper includes a German-language abstract.

Thermally sprayed coatings with Co-based alloy were evaluated for cavitation erosion resistance in order to use as erosion proof coatings. Co-based alloy coatings have been applied by Low Pressure Plasma Spray (LPS) and High Velocity Oxygen Fuel Flame Spray (HVOF) on the AISI 403 stainless steel substrates and half number of each coated specimen were post-heated at 1073K for 1 hour. The mass loss was measured for evaluation in this study. The following results have been obtained in the cavitation test; i) Both of LPS coatings (the post-heated and the as sprayed) have more excellent cavitation erosion resistance than HVOF coatings, ii) With regard to LPS coatings, the post-heated coating has the same weight loss as the as-sprayed coatings. iii)The post heat treatment to HVOF is remarkably effective to improve the cavitation erosion resistance.

The gas turbine blades in a severe environment are overlaid with MCrAlY coatings by Low Pressure Plasma Spray (LPS) process for protection against hot corrosion. However, the service life of each blade is limited by damage due to embrittlement layer, which is formed by reaction diffusion at the interface between the coating and the substrate. Reaction diffusion behavior between the CoNiCrAlY coatings and substrates was investigated. In addition, high-temperature oxidation behavior of the CoNiCrAlY coating by LPS was evaluated. The CoNiCrAlY coatings for reaction diffusion test were carried out by 3 kinds of spray process (LPS, High Velocity Oxygen Fuel Spray: HVOF, Atmospheric Plasma Spray: APS) on 2 kinds of substrate (Directional Solidification and Single Crystal Ni-based super alloys). It has been found that the CoNiCrAlY coating by APS inhibited the reaction diffusion at the boundary of the coating and the base material as compared with LPS coating. It was also confirmed that the protective dense layer of aluminum oxide against hot corrosion was formed in the surface of the CoNiCrAlY coatings by LPS.

Hardness and microstructure of Cr 3 C 2 -NiCr coating formed by vacuum plasma spraying process (VPS coating) were investigated in compare with that formed by High Velocity Oxygen Fuel Spraying process (HVOF coating). The results are as follows. (1) The hardness of VPS coatings in as sprayed condition was HV1243 ± 80, which was much higher than that of HVOF coatings, HV958±44, and never went down under HV1100 even after heat treatment at 1273K for 3.6ks. (2) VPS coating presents dense lameller structures composed of Cr 2 C 3 , Cr 7 C 3 and γ-NiCr phase, while HVOF coating presents lameller structures with many fine gaps, composed of Cr 2 C 3 , Cr 7 C 3 , γ-NiCr phase and relatively large amounts of Cr 2 O 3 . (3) The reason why such high hardness was obtained in VPS coating, has been considered due to their dense lamella structures.

Methodology to evaluate the adhesive strength between the MCrAlY alloy coating film and the Ni-base superalloy substrate was studied and proposed. By employing the double cantilever beam specimens which were taken from the CoNiCrAlY alloy coated Ni-base superalloy, the fatigue crack propagation tests along the interface were carried out. Through the work particular attention was given to the threshold level to the fatigue crack propagation along the interface as a measure to represent the adhesive strength, based on fracture mechanics approach. The effects of temperature, the surface finishing of the substrate and the long term thermal aging on the adhesive strength were also investigated.

A hybrid technique that combines plasma spraying and metal diffusion treatment was developed to improve the density, hardness, and adhesion of carbide cermet coatings. In this study, which was conducted to assess the process, Cr3C2-NiCr was deposited on stainless steel substrates by atmospheric plasma spraying. The test specimens were then embedded in a powder mixture of chromium, alumina, and ammonium chloride and diffusion treated. Cross-sectional SEM imaging, X-ray diffraction, and microhardness testing found the resulting surface layer to be extremely dense with outstanding hardness and exceptional bonding strength.

This paper presents the results of a study showing how isothermal aging affects the wear properties of Cr-Ni overlay alloy coatings with dispersed NbC particles. High Cr-high Ni coatings, with and without niobium carbides, were deposited on mild steel substrates via plasma transferred arc welding then age-hardened at temperatures from 773 to 1023 K. The precipitation behavior and wear properties of the coating samples were examined using Vickers hardness testing, SEM, TEM, EDX, XRD, and Ohgoshi wear testing. The results showed that isothermal aging significantly improved the hardness and wear resistance of the NbC-dispersed alloy but had little effect on the NbC-free samples. The difference in precipitation behaviors is probably due to the presence of niobium atoms in the alloy matrix, resulting in a continuous precipitation of α' phase.

Rotating bending fatigue tests have been conducted at room temperature in laboratory air using specimens of medium carbon steel (S45C), low alloy steel (SCM435) and titanium alloy (Ti-6AI-4V) with HVOF sprayed coating of a cermet (WC-12%Co) and S45C with WFS sprayed coating of a 13Cr steel (SUS420J2). Plane bending fatigue tests were also conducted at stress ratios, R, of -1, -0.5 and 0 for S45C with WC-12%Co coating. The fatigue strength and fracture mechanisms were studied. The fatigue strength evaluated by nominal stress was strongly influenced by substrate materials, R and the thickness of sprayed coatings. Detailed observation of crack initiation on the coating surface and fracture surface revealed that a crack was initiated in the coating and then cracks were initiated in the substrate due to the stress concentration of the crack in the coating. The fatigue strength of the sprayed materials was dominated by that of the sprayed coating. Therefore, the fatigue strength could be evaluated uniquely in terms of the true stress on the coating surface. The influence of compressive residual stress of the sprayed coatings on fatigue strength was discussed based on the fatigue mechanisms at different stress ratios.

The unusual effects of plasma sprayed coating on the fire-side of evaporator tubes located in an oil-fired steam generating boiler are discussed. The main heat transfer surfaces are constructed by heat exchanger tubes, evaporator tubes and superheaters. Maintenance to prevent of the boiler failure or the preserve heat exchanger effectiveness is a very important factor in the operation of boiler facilities. In a boiler which employs heavy gravity oil as a fuel, plasma sprayed Ni-Cr alloy has often been applied to boiler tubes for the relief of hot corrosion by combustion gas. However, the circulation of boiler water causes an internal deposit to form on the inner wall of evaporator tubes. The internal deposit generates excess heat load against the tubes. As the overheating of the tubes often causes the evaporator tubes to fail, they are chemically cleaned periodically. In this paper, the influence of Ni-Cr plasma sprayed coating for the heat flux, which dominates the formation of the internal deposit, is investigated. Ni-Cr plasma sprayed coating is substitutionally hot corrosion resistant and is a composite coating into which the fuel ash containing a vanadium or sulfur compound are interstitially penetrated and solidified. It is derived that the existence of the coating on the fire-side of the evaporator tubes normalizes the heat load in their inner walls. Moreover, the suppression of internal deposit formation decreases the frequency of chemical cleaning for tubes. The dual effects of plasma sprayed coating for hot corrosion resistance in the fire side and the suppression of internal deposit on the water side of the tubes are reported.

Higher-temperature operation in a gas turbine has urged development of heat-resistant coatings and thermal barrier coatings. We have developed a 2CaO-SiO 2 -CaO-ZrO 2 based thermal barrier coating. This coating should effectively prevent separation of the coating by relieving the shear stress generated due to thermal change of environment between layers with dissimilar properties. The coating was applied to stationary vanes of an actual gas turbine in a 25,000-hour test. This paper describes the results of the field test.