Abstract: A tubine engine component has a substrate, a thermal barrier layer deposited onto the substrate, and a sealing layer of ceramic material deposited on an outer surface of the thermal barrier layer for limiting molten sand penetration. The thermal barrier layer and sealing layer are formed by suspension plasma spraying. A preferred sealing layer is gadolinium zirconate.

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: In a method for coating a substrate, a ceramic first layer is suspension plasma sprayed and is at least about as tough as 7YSZ. A ceramic second layer is applied over the first layer and is less tough than the first layer.

Abstract: A workpiece, such as a turbine engine component, comprises a substrate, a thermal barrier coating on the substrate, and a hard erosion barrier deposited over the thermal barrier coating. The erosion barrier preferably has a Vickers hardness in the range of from 1300 to 2750 kg/mm2. The erosion barrier may be formed from aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, or molybdenum disilicide. The erosion barrier may be formed using either an electrophoretic deposition process or a slurry process.

Abstract: A coating system for a turbine engine component having a substrate includes a multi-layer bond coat applied to the substrate. The multi-layer bond coat has an oxidation resistant layer and a spallation resistant layer deposited over the oxidation resistant layer. Processes for forming the coating system are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming thermally grown alpha alumina oxide scale on a substrate is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a heating chamber having a heat source and an oxidizing gas source selectively operable to provide a stream of oxidizing gas; b) providing at least one substrate disposed in the heating chamber, which substrate has a composition sufficient to permit formation of an alpha alumina scale on one or more surfaces; c) maintaining a vacuum in the heating chamber at a level that inhibits formation of one or more low temperature oxides on the one or more surfaces of the substrate; d) heating at least one of the one or more surfaces of the substrate to a predetermined temperature at or above 1800 degrees Fahrenheit; and e) directing the stream of oxidizing gas at a controlled rate toward one or more heated surfaces of the substrate.

Abstract: A workpiece, such as a turbine engine component, comprises a substrate, a thermal barrier coating on the substrate, and a hard erosion barrier deposited over the thermal barrier coating. The erosion barrier preferably has a Vickers hardness in the range of from 1300 to 2750 kg/mm2. The erosion barrier may be formed from aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, or molybdenum disilicide. The erosion barrier may be formed using either an electrophoretic deposition process or a slurry process.

Abstract: An electron beam vapor deposition apparatus includes a coating chamber having a first chamber section with a first coating zone for depositing a first coating and a second chamber section with a second coating zone for depositing a second coating. At least one electron beam source is associated with the first chamber section and the second chamber section. A first crucible is adjacent to the first coating zone for presenting a first source coating material, and a second crucible is adjacent to the second coating zone for presenting a second source coating material. A transport is operative to move a work piece between the first coating zone of the first chamber section and the second coating zone of the second chamber section.

Abstract: A method for use with a coating process includes depositing a ceramic coating on a substrate within a coating chamber. Prior to depositing the ceramic coating, an electron beam source is used to heat a ceramic material. The ceramic material radiates heat to heat a substrate to an oxidation temperature to form an oxide layer on the substrate. A desired evaporation rate of the ceramic material is established during the heating to thereby provide an improved ceramic coating.

Abstract: A method for providing a component with protection against sand related distress comprises the steps of: providing a substrate; and forming a thermal barrier coating system by depositing 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 at least one oxide so that each layer contains from about 25 to 99 wt% of at least one oxide.

Abstract: A method for providing a component with protection against sand related distress includes the steps of: providing a substrate; depositing a layer of a yttria-stabilized zirconia material on the substrate; and forming a molten silicate resistant outer layer over the yttria-stabilized zirconia material.

Abstract: A metallic coating for use in a high temperature application is created from a nickel base alloy containing from 5.0 to 10.5 wt % aluminum, from 4.0 to 15 wt % chromium, from 2.0 to 8.0 wt % tungsten, from 3.0 to 10 wt % tantalum, and the balance nickel. The metallic coating has particular utility in protecting single crystal superalloys used in high temperature applications such as turbine engine components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming thermally grown alpha alumina oxide scale on a substrate is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a heating chamber having a heat source and an oxidizing gas source selectively operable to provide a stream of oxidizing gas; b) providing at least one substrate disposed in the heating chamber, which substrate has a composition sufficient to permit formation of an alpha alumina scale on one or more surfaces; c) maintaining a vacuum in the heating chamber at a level that inhibits formation of one or more low temperature oxides on the one or more surfaces of the substrate; d) heating at least one of the one or more surfaces of the substrate to a predetermined temperature at or above 1800 degrees Fahrenheit; and e) directing the stream of oxidizing gas at a controlled rate toward one or more heated surfaces of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of repairing a component of a gas turbine engine that includes a metallic substrate, an existing aluminide coating, and a diffusion layer formed in the metallic substrate adjacent to the coating. The method includes removing at least a portion of the existing aluminide coating, removing material forming the diffusion layer, applying a new metallic layer to the metallic substrate, and applying a new aluminide coating over the new metallic layer to form a new diffusion layer in the new metallic layer. The new metallic layer is a substantially homogeneous material that is substantially similar in chemical composition to that of the metallic substrate, and the new metallic layer forms a structural layer having a thickness selected to provide a specified contour to the component.

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: 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.

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 coated article includes an article having at least one surface and a thermal barrier coating system disposed upon the at least one surface. The thermal barrier coating system has at least two layers, with each layer having a different microstructure. The microstructure of each layer may be any one of the following: columnar, amorphous, randomized, and splat-like. The thermal barrier coating system typically exhibits a thermal conductivity of no more than 16 BTU in/hr ft2 F.

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 gas turbine engine component has a metallic substrate. A coating is on the substrate. A barrier coat is applied while varying a speed of the component rotation so as to provide a corresponding microstructure to the barrier coat.