Abstract: A process of coating an article includes the steps of (1) forming a layer of a ceramic based compound on an article; (2) providing a solution containing a metal as a particulate having a diameter of about 10 nanometers to about 1000 nanometers and present in an amount of about 25 percent to about 50 percent by volume of the solution; (3) contacting the ceramic based compound layer with the solution; (4) drying the article; and (5) optionally repeating steps (3) and (4).

Abstract: A process of coating an article includes the steps of (1) applying a ceramic based compound to at least one surface of an article to form a layer of ceramic based compound; (2) applying at least one inert compound upon the ceramic based compound layer to form a protective layer, wherein the at least one inert compound is composed of a first inert compound having a cubic crystalline structure of formula (I) A3B2X3O12, or a second inert compound comprising a hexagonal crystalline structure of formula (II) A4B6X6O26, or a mixture of the first inert compound and the second inert compound; (3) optionally drying the coated article; (4) optionally repeating steps (2) and (3); and (5) heat treating the coated article.

Abstract: A process of coating an article includes the steps of (1) forming a layer of a ceramic based compound on an article; (2) providing a solution containing a metal as a particulate having a diameter of about 10 nanometers to about 1000 nanometers and present in an amount of about 25 percent to about 50 percent by volume of the solution; (3) contacting the ceramic based compound layer with the solution; (4) drying the article; and (5) optionally repeating steps (3) and (4).

Abstract: A process of coating an article includes the steps of (1) applying upon at least one surface of an article at least one graded layer of at least one ceramic based compound comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutelium, indium, scandium, yttrium, zirconium, hafnium, titanium, and mixtures thereof; (2) optionally drying the coated article; and (3) optionally repeating steps (1) and (2).

Abstract: A process for applying an oxidation resistant coating to an article includes the steps of mixing at least about 10% by volume to up to about 99% by volume of a slurry at least one silica based material having a viscosity of about 1×102 poise to about 1×107 poise at a temperature of about 1,292° F. (700° C.) to about 3,272° F. (1,800° C.) at least about 1% by volume to up to about 90% by volume of the slurry at least one oxygen scavenger, and a liquid medium to form the slurry; coating an article with the slurry to form a slurry coated article; and heat treating under an inert atmosphere the slurry coated article to form an article having at least one oxidation resistant coating layer containing the at least one oxygen scavenger.

Abstract: A turbine engine component is provided which has a substrate, a yttria-stabilized zirconia coating applied over the substrate, and a molten silicate resistant outer layer. The molten silicate resistant outer layer is formed from gadolinia or gadolinia-stabilized zirconia. A method for forming the coating system of the present invention is described.

Abstract: An article for use in a fuel cell stack (10) includes a bipolar plate (30) that includes a metal alloy having a nominal composition of about 40 wt % to 60 wt % nickel, about 12 wt % to 25 wt % chromium, about 10 wt % to 35 wt % iron, and about 5 wt % to 10 wt % of at least one element from aluminum, manganese, molybdenum, niobium, cobalt, vanadium, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A turbine engine component is provided which has a substrate and a thermal barrier coating applied over the substrate. The thermal barrier coating comprises at least one layer of a first material selected from the group consisting of a zirconate, a hafnate, a titanate, and mixtures thereof, which first material has been mixed with, and contains, from about 25 to 99 wt % of at least one oxide. The at least one oxide comprises at least one oxide of a material selected from the group consisting of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, scandium, indium, and yttrium. If desired, a metallic bond coat may be present between the substrate and the thermal barrier coating system. A method for forming the thermal barrier coating system of the present invention is described.

Abstract: A process of coating an article includes the steps of (1) forming a layer of a ceramic based compound on an article; (2) providing a solution containing a metal as a particulate having a diameter of about 10 nanometers to about 1000 nanometers and present in an amount of about 25 percent to about 50 percent by volume of the solution; (3) contacting the ceramic based compound layer with the solution; (4) drying the article; and (5) optionally repeating steps (3) and (4).

Abstract: A process of coating an article includes the steps of (1) applying a ceramic based compound to at least one surface of an article to form a layer of ceramic based compound; (2) applying at least one inert compound upon the ceramic based compound layer to form a protective layer, wherein the at least one inert compound is composed of a first inert compound having a cubic crystalline structure of formula (I) A3B2X3O12, or a second inert compound comprising a hexagonal crystalline structure of formula (II) A4B6X6O26, or a mixture of the first inert compound and the second inert compound; (3) optionally drying the coated article; (4) optionally repeating steps (2) and (3); and (5) heat treating the coated article.

Abstract: A thermal barrier coating system for use on a turbine engine component which reduces sand related distress is provided. The coating system comprises at least one first layer of a stabilized material selected from the group consisting of zirconia, hafnia, and titania and at least one second layer containing at least one of oxyapatite and garnet. Where the coating system comprises multiple first layers and multiple second layers, the layers are formed or deposited in an alternating manner.

Abstract: A turbine engine component has a substrate, a thermal barrier coating deposited onto the substrate, and a sealing layer of ceramic material on an outer surface of the thermal barrier coating for limiting molten sand penetration.

Abstract: A turbine engine component has a substrate and a thermal barrier coating deposited onto the substrate. The thermal barrier coating comprises a ceramic material having a sodium containing compound incorporated therein. The sodium containing compound is present in a concentration so that when molten sand reacts with the coating, sodium silicate is formed as the by product.

Abstract: A process for applying a coating upon an article includes the steps of applying upon at least one surface of an article a bond coat layer composed of a bond coat material and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, strontium, silicon, rare earth metals, Group 3A of the Periodic Table of Elements and Group 4A of the Periodic Table of Elements; oxidizing the at least one metal to form at least one surface variation on an exposed surface of the bond coat layer and to form a thermally grown oxide layer upon the bond coat layer; and applying a thermal barrier coating layer upon said thermally grown oxide layer to produce a coated article.

Abstract: A turbine engine component is provided which has a substrate and a thermal barrier coating applied over the substrate. The thermal barrier coating comprises alternating layers of yttria-stabilized zirconia and a molten silicate resistant material. The molten silicate resistant outer layer may be formed from at least one oxide of a material selected from the group consisting of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, scandium, indium, zirconium, hafnium, and titanium or may be formed from a gadolinia-stabilized zirconia. If desired, a metallic bond coat may be present between the substrate and the thermal barrier coating system. A method for forming the thermal barrier coating system of the present invention is described.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cells each having an anode layer, an electrolyte layer, and a cathode layer, the fuel cells each having a first effective thermal expansion coefficient; a plurality of bipolar plates positioned between adjacent fuel cells having an anode interconnect, a separator plate, and a cathode interconnect, the bipolar plates being positioned between adjacent fuel cells, wherein the anode interconnect is in electrical communication with the anode layer of one adjacent fuel cell, wherein the cathode interconnect is in electrical communication with the cathode layer of another adjacent fuel cell, and wherein at least one interconnect of the cathode interconnect and the anode interconnect has a second thermal expansion coefficient and is adapted to reduce strain between the at least one interconnect and an adjacent fuel cell due to differences between the first and second thermal expansion coefficients over repeated thermal cycles.

Abstract: An interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell includes a compliant superstructure having a first portion defining a separator plate contact zone and a second portion defining an electrode contact zone, wherein the super structure is porous. In one embodiment, the superstructure is defined by a plurality of compliant substructures provided in a first direction and a plurality of compliant substructures provided in second direction to define a woven structure.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cells each having an anode layer, an electrolyte layer, and a cathode layer, the fuel cells each having a first effective thermal expansion coefficient; a plurality of bipolar plates positioned between adjacent fuel cells having an anode interconnect, a separator plate, and a cathode interconnect, the bipolar plates being positioned between adjacent fuel cells, wherein the anode interconnect is in electrical communication with the anode layer of one adjacent fuel cell, wherein the cathode interconnect is in electrical communication with the cathode layer of another adjacent fuel cell, and wherein at least one interconnect of the cathode interconnect and the anode interconnect has a second thermal expansion coefficient and is adapted to reduce strain between the at least one interconnect and an adjacent fuel cell due to differences between the first and second thermal expansion coefficients over repeated thermal cycles.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the metallurgical bond between the end of an armature wire of an electric motor and the connector riser or tine on the motor armature. The armature wire has a titanium oxide-containing insulation coating. The titanium oxide content improves the resistance of the wire to erosive forces which occur during the winding operation but it also tends to interfere with the metallurgical bond between the wire and the riser or tine. The disclosed method involves the roughening of the surface of the riser or tine at least to a depth equal to the thickness of the insulation. Grit or vapor blasting with silica glass beads as well as other roughening techniques are disclosed.

Abstract: Superalloy articles are made more oxidation resistant by a process which includes heat treating the article in the presence of foreign chemical species, at a temperature at which the foreign chemical species reacts with and modifies any oxide film present on the article surface. The heat treatment is best carried out at a temperature above the gamma prime solvus temperature of the article and below the incipient melting temperature of the article. Alternatively, the heat treatment may be carried out within the range defined by the incipient melting temperature of the article and about 150.degree. C. below the incipient melting temperature of the article. At such temperatures the foreign chemical species reacts with and modifies the oxide film on the article surface. Sulfur is then able to diffuse through such modified film, and a more oxidation resistant component is produced.