Abstract: A coating method includes depositing a coating material onto a turbine engine component using an ionic liquid that is a melt of the salt. The coating material includes aluminum. The turbine engine component is then heat treated to react with at least one element of the coating material with at least one other element to form a protective coating on the component.

Abstract: A shot tube plunger for a die casting system includes a first face, an opposing second face and an outer surface disposed between said first face and said opposing second face. A channel circumferentially extends about the outer surface. The channel is operable to receive a portion of a charge of material introduced into the die casting system.

Abstract: A coating method includes depositing a reactive material onto a turbine engine component using an ionic liquid that is a melt of a salt, and heat treating the turbine engine component to react the reactive material with at least one other element to form a protective coating on the turbine engine component.

Abstract: An airfoil for use in a gas turbine engine is provided, the airfoil having a hole therein. A ceramic plug is inserted in the hole so that the plug extends above a depth of a thermal barrier coating, such as a ceramic, to be placed on the airfoil. The airfoil is then coated by non-line of sight vapor deposition and the plugs are then removed.

Abstract: An article includes a metallic substrate and a tri-layer thermal barrier coating that is deposited on the metallic substrate. The tri-layer thermal barrier coating includes an inner ceramic layer, an outermost ceramic layer relative to the metallic substrate, and an intermediate ceramic layer between the inner ceramic layer and the outermost ceramic layer. The inner ceramic layer and the outermost ceramic layer are composed of respective first and second ceramic materials and the intermediate ceramic layers composed of a third, different ceramic material. The inner ceramic layer has a first thickness, the outermost ceramic layer has a second thickness, and the intermediate ceramic layer has a third thickness that is greater than the first thickness and the second thickness.