Thermocyclic behavior of differently stabilized and structured EB-PVD thermal barrier coatings

The electron-beam physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD) process provides distinctive coatings of a unique columnar microstructure for gas turbine components. Main advantage of this structure is its superior tolerance against straining, erosion and thermoshock, thus giving it a major edge in Lifetime. This paper outlines the interaction between chemical composition and microstructural evolution of EB-PVD zirconia-based thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) and their respective Lifetimes in cyclic burner rig and furnace tests. Customizing TBC microstructure by adjusting EB-PVD processing parameters is emphasized. A structural zone diagram for PVD is modified by interconnecting the influence of substrate rotation with the microstructural evolutions. Finally, some basic aspects of single source and dual source evaporation are compared.