Non-contact sensing of TBC/BC interface temperature in a thermal gradient

Luminescence lifetimes of rare-earth ions in yttria-stabilized zirconia, have been shown to exhibit temperature sensitivity from 500-1150 degrees C [Gentleman, M.M. and Clarke, D.R. (2005) Surface and Coatings Technology 200, 1264; Gentleman, M.M. and Clarke, D.R. (2004) Surface and Coatings Technology 188-189, 93.]. These doped zirconias can be deposited along with standard thermal barrier coatings to create thin temperature sensing layers within the coating. Of particular interest is the temperature at the coating/bond coat interface as the oxidation life of a TBC system is exponentially dependent on this temperature. In this study, thin (similar to 10 mu m) layers of europia-doped yttria-stabilized zirconia were deposited by EB-PVD onto bond-coated CMSX-4 superalloy buttons to achieve sensor layers located next to the TBC/BC interface. These coatings were then used to measure the interface temperature in a thermal gradient. Combined with pyrometric measurements of the coating-surface temperature and metal-surface temperature, the thermal conductivity of the coating (1.5 W/mK) and heat flux (similar to 1 MW/m(2)) in the tests were calculated. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.