The potential for the improvement of high performance thermal barrier coatings

The growing market for industrial gas turbines has led to an increased demand for large, cost-effective units of high efficiency, A critical issue in the development of such units is the durability of hot section components, especially first stage blades and vanes to which thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are applied. This paper introduces the current state of the art in the production of TBCs, and discusses their various degradation mechanisms. Special emphasis is placed on the potential for the development of a new generation of TBC systems through the control of microstructure and porosity, as well as through new processing techniques.