High-Temperature Oxidation and Oxide Scale Formation in Plasma-Sprayed CoNiCrAlYRe Coatings

MCrAlY coatings are usually adopted to improve the environmental resistance of Ni-based superalloy components of turbine engines against high-temperature oxidation and hot corrosion. In this work, CoNiCrAlYRe coatings were produced by atmospheric plasma spraying. The coatings exhibited relatively low oxygen content and porosity. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses revealed that the high-temperature exposure at 1383 K (1110 °C) promoted the growth of an oxide scale on the top surface being composed of a continuous and dense Al2O3 inner layer followed by an outer mixed layer (Cr2O3 and spinels). The oxide scale was mainly composed of Al2O3, while the formation of mixed oxides occurred at lesser extent. After high-temperature exposure, the formation of internal oxides in some areas reduced the inter-lamellar cohesion, so that a decrease in microhardness was found.