Abstract: Electrostatic deposition of high performance powdered materials onto gas turbine surfaces. The process also includes post-deposition thermal staging of the deposited powder to provide a durable coating that will satisfy the demands of turbine engine operation. The process envisions application of organic-based powdered materials, glass/ceramic powdered materials and metal-based powdered materials and combinations thereof using electrostatic techniques to components exposed to low temperature operations, such as may be found in the front section of a gas turbine engine or to the exterior portions of an aircraft engine, and metal-containing glass ceramics, glass-ceramic materials, or materials that can be transformed into glass ceramic materials, when applied to components exposed to high temperature operations, such as may be found in the turbine and exhaust sections of a gas turbine engine or the flaps of an aircraft.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant coating for gas turbine engine includes a glassy ceramic matrix wherein the glassy matrix is silica-based, and includes corrosion resistant particles selected from refractory particles and non-refractory MCrAlX particles, and combinations thereof. The corrosion resistant particles are substantially uniformly distributed within the matrix, and provide the coating with corrosion resistance. Importantly the coating of the present invention has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) greater than that of alumina at engine operating temperatures. The CTE of the coating is sufficiently close to the substrate material such that the coating does not spall after frequent engine cycling at temperatures above 1200° F.

Abstract: Electrostatic deposition of high performance powdered materials onto gas turbine surfaces. The process also includes post-deposition thermal staging of the deposited powder to provide a durable coating that will satisfy the demands of turbine engine operation. The process envisions application of organic-based powdered materials, glass/ceramic powdered materials and metal-based powdered materials and combinations thereof using electrostatic techniques to components exposed to low temperature operations, such as may be found in the front section of a gas turbine engine or to the exterior portions of an aircraft engine, and metal-containing glass ceramics, glass-ceramic materials, or materials that can be transformed into glass ceramic materials, when applied to components exposed to high temperature operations, such as may be found in the turbine and exhaust sections of a gas turbine engine or the flaps of an aircraft.

Abstract: A high pressure turbine component for use in a gas turbine engine and a method for coating a high pressure turbine component. The gas turbine engine turbine component is coated with an amorphous phosphate-containing coating disposed on a surface of the component. The coating has a thickness of from about 0.10 microns to about 10 microns and provides resistance to oxidation and hot corrosion at temperature greater than about 1000° F.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant coating for gas turbine engine includes a glassy ceramic matrix wherein the glassy matrix is silica-based, and includes corrosion resistant particles selected from refractory particles and non-refractory MCrAlX particles, and combinations thereof. The corrosion resistant particles are substantially uniformly distributed within the matrix, and provide the coating with corrosion resistance. Importantly the coating of the present invention has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) greater than that of alumina at engine operating temperatures. The CTE of the coating is sufficiently close to the substrate material such that the coating does not spall after frequent engine cycling at temperatures above 1200° F.

Abstract: A method for applying a coating system that is applied to a surface of a component for preventing or at least substantially preventing interdiffusion between the component surface and a protective thermal layer applied to the component surface when the thermal layer is exposed to elevated temperatures. The method includes applying a carrier layer containing aluminum to the component surface. Next, the layer is heated to a first predetermined temperature for a first predetermined period of time in the substantial absence of oxygen to bond the aluminum with the component surface, the heat dissolving the carrier portion of the aluminum layer. The remaining portion of the aluminum layer is then heated to a second predetermined temperature for a second predetermined period of time to form an oxidized aluminum layer. Finally, at least one protective thermal layer is applied over the oxidized aluminum layer.

Abstract: A method of repairing a thermal barrier coating (16) on a component (10) designed for use in a hostile thermal environment, such as turbine, combustor and augmentor components of a gas turbine engine. The method more particularly involves repairing a thermal barrier coating (16) on a component (10) that has suffered localized spallation (20) of the thermal barrier coating (16). After cleaning the surface area (22) of the component (10) exposed by the localized spallation (20), a ceramic paste (24) comprising a ceramic powder in a binder is applied to the surface area (22) of the component (10). The binder is then reacted to yield a ceramic-containing repair coating (26) that covers the surface area of the component and comprises the ceramic powder in a matrix of a material formed when the binder was reacted.

Abstract: A low cost aluminide process for moderate temperature applications. A gas turbine engine component is cleaned and coated with a layer of metal, generally aluminum, containing paint. The metal containing paint layer is heated to a first temperature for a first period of time in an air environment to volatilize the solvents in the paint. The metal containing paint layer is heated to a second temperature for a second period of time in an oxygen-free atmosphere to volatilize the solvents in the paint. The now metal layer and component are heated to a third temperature for a third period of time to interdiffuse the metal and the metal of the component. The component and diffusion layer are then cooled to ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method for applying a coating system that is applied to a surface of a component, such as a turbine nozzle, for preventing or at least substantially preventing interdiffusion between the component surface and a protective thermal layer applied to the component surface when the thermal layer is exposed to elevated temperatures. The method includes applying a carrier layer containing aluminum to the component surface. Next, the layer is heated to a first predetermined temperature for a first predetermined period of time in the substantial absence of oxygen to bond the aluminum with the component surface, the heat dissolving the carrier portion of the aluminum layer. The remaining portion of the aluminum layer is then heated to a second predetermined temperature for a second predetermined period of time to form an oxidized aluminum layer. Finally, at least one protective thermal layer is applied over the oxidized aluminum layer.

Abstract: A method for applying a coating system that is applied to a surface of a component for preventing or at least substantially preventing interdiffision between the component surface and a protective thermal layer applied to the component surface when the thermal layer is exposed to elevated temperatures. The method includes applying a carrier layer containing aluminum to the component surface. Next, the layer is heated to a first predetermined temperature for a first predetermined period of time in the substantial absence of oxygen to bond the aluminum with the component surface, the heat dissolving the carrier portion of the aluminum layer. The remaining portion of the aluminum layer is then heated to a second predetermined temperature for a second predetermined period of time to form an oxidized aluminum layer. Finally, at least one protective thermal layer is applied over the oxidized aluminum layer.

Abstract: A low cost chromide and chromide/aluminide process for moderate temperature applications. A gas turbine engine component is cleaned and coated with a layer of metal, generally chromium or chromium and aluminum, containing paint. The metal containing paint layer is heated to a first temperature for a first period of time in an air environment to volatilize the solvents in the paint. The metal containing paint layer is heated to a second temperature for a second period of time in an oxygen-free atmosphere to volatilize the solvents in the paint. The now metal layer and component are heated to a third temperature for a third period of time to interdiffuse the metal and the metal of the component. The component and diffusion layer are then cooled to ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method for applying a coating system that is applied to a surface of a component for preventing or at least substantially preventing interdiffusion between the component surface and a protective thermal layer applied to the component surface when the thermal layer is exposed to elevated temperatures. The method includes applying a carrier layer containing aluminum to the component surface. Next, the layer is heated to a first predetermined temperature for a first predetermined period of time in the substantial absence of oxygen to bond the aluminum with the component surface, the heat dissolving the carrier portion of the aluminum layer. The remaining portion of the aluminum layer is then heated to a second predetermined temperature for a second predetermined period of time to form an oxidized aluminum layer. Finally, at least one protective thermal layer is applied over the oxidized aluminum layer.

Abstract: A method for applying a coating system that is applied to a surface of a component for preventing or at least substantially preventing interdiffusion between the component surface and a protective thermal layer applied to the component surface when the thermal layer is exposed to elevated temperatures. The method includes applying a carrier layer containing aluminum to the component surface. Next, the layer is heated to a first predetermined temperature for a first predetermined period of time in the substantial absence of oxygen to bond the aluminum with the component surface, the heat dissolving the carrier portion of the aluminum layer. The remaining portion of the aluminum layer is then heated to a second predetermined temperature for a second predetermined period of time to form an oxidized aluminum layer. Finally, at least one protective thermal layer is applied over the oxidized aluminum layer.

Abstract: A low cost aluminide process for moderate temperature applications. A gas turbine engine component is cleaned and coated with a layer of metal, generally aluminum, containing paint. The metal containing paint layer is heated to a first temperature for a first period of time in an air environment to volatilize the solvents in the paint. The metal containing paint layer is heated to a second temperature for a second period of time in an oxygen-free atmosphere to volatilize the solvents in the paint. The now metal layer and component are heated to a third temperature for a third period of time to interdiffuse the metal and the metal of the component. The component and diffusion layer are then cooled to ambient temperature.

Abstract: A low cost chromide and chromide/aluminide process for moderate temperature applications. A gas turbine engine component is cleaned and coated with a layer of metal, generally chromium or chromium and aluminum, containing paint. The metal containing paint layer is heated to a first temperature for a first period of time in an air environment to volatilize the solvents in the paint. The metal containing paint layer is heated to a second temperature for a second period of time in an oxygen-free atmosphere to volatilize the solvents in the paint. The now metal layer and component are heated to a third temperature for a third period of time to interdiffuse the metal and the metal of the component. The component and diffusion layer are then cooled to ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method for applying a coating system that is applied to a surface of a component for preventing or at least substantially preventing interdiffusion between the component surface and a protective thermal layer applied to the component surface when the thermal layer is exposed to elevated temperatures. The method includes applying a carrier layer containing aluminum to the component surface. Next, the layer is heated to a first predetermined temperature for a first predetermined period of time in the substantial absence of oxygen to bond the aluminum with the component surface, the heat dissolving the carrier portion of the aluminum layer. The remaining portion of the aluminum layer is then heated to a second predetermined temperature for a second predetermined period of time to form an oxidized aluminum layer. Finally, at least one protective thermal layer is applied over the oxidized aluminum layer.

Abstract: A method for applying a coating system that is applied to a surface of a component, such as a turbine nozzle, for preventing or at least substantially preventing interdiffusion between the component surface and a protective thermal layer applied to the component surface when the thermal layer is exposed to elevated temperatures. The method includes applying a carrier layer containing aluminum to the component surface. Next, the layer is heated to a first predetermined temperature for a first predetermined period of time in the substantial absence of oxygen to bond the aluminum with the component surface, the heat dissolving the carrier portion of the aluminum layer. The remaining portion of the aluminum layer is then heated to a second predetermined temperature for a second predetermined period of time to form an oxidized aluminum layer. Finally, at least one protective thermal layer is applied over the oxidized aluminum layer.

Abstract: A method for the polymerization of metal oxo-hydroxide in solution to form dense contiguous oxide films on small particles suspended in the solution. A standard ethanol-based sol-gel reaction solution is prepared by resulting in a solution containing dissolved metal oxo-hydroxides and phosphates, as well as finely divided suspended metal substrate particles. Intermediate molecular weight alcohols, namely alcohols with three, four, five, six or seven carbon atoms, are added to the reaction solution to increase the boiling point of the reaction. The temperature of the reaction solution is raised to below the boiling point of the solution. Water is added to the reaction solution to initiate the polymerization of the metal oxo-hydroxide. The polymerization reaction, coupled with the phosphates acting a surfactant, coats the metal substrate particles with a dense contiguous coating of metal oxide.

Abstract: Non-spherical particles including a major dimension, for example flakes of material, are positioned with the major dimension oriented generally along an article surface in respect to which the particle is disposed. The particles, disposed in a fluid medium, the viscosity of which can be increased to secure the particles in position, are positioned using a force on the particles. The force includes torque force from a magnetic field, force from flow of the fluid medium, the force of gravity, and the force of surface tension alone or in combination with the force of gravity.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing metallic flake having an environmental coating for use in oxidative and corrosive atmospheres. Fluidized bed techniques are utilized to perform a controlled oxidation of metallic particles that include aluminum. The fluidized techniques permit the formation of a thin, outer shell of alumina over the outer surface of the flake. Because the oxidation is controlled so that the selective oxidation produces a thin outer shell, the particle has good reflectance and the metallic core of the particle is unaffected by the oxidizing treatment. Although the techniques of the present invention are effective for producing a reflective surface on aluminum-containing iron alloys while the core particles can be either magnetically soft or hard, the techniques can be used to produce a reflective surface that is corrosion and oxidation resistant on any aluminum containing alloy. Apparatus that facilitates the controlled oxidation is also set forth.