Abstract: Transportable modular coating systems include a first transportable coating module comprising at least one first removable wall, a second transportable coating module comprising at least one second removable wall, wherein the first and second transportable coating modules are joinable when the first and second removable walls are removed, and a plurality of coating components fixed within the first and second transportable coating modules that combine to create a coating operation. The transportable coating module further includes a transportable control module that comprises a control system that operably connects to the plurality of coating components to operably control the coating operation.

Abstract: A process for forming a thermal barrier coating system on a substrate is disclosed including preparing a slurry including a donor powder, an activator powder, and a binder. The donor powder includes a metallic aluminum alloy having a melting temperature higher than aluminum, and the binder includes at least one organic polymer gel. The process further includes applying the slurry to the substrate, heating the slurry to form an aluminide bond coating including an additive aluminide layer and an aluminide interdiffusion zone disposed between the substrate and the additive aluminide layer, and applying a thermal barrier coating to the aluminide bond coating. The thermal barrier coating may be a dense vertically-cracked thermal barrier coating, and the substrate may be a gas turbine component. Thermal barrier coating systems formed by the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: Transportable modular coating systems include a first transportable coating module comprising at least one first removable wall, a second transportable coating module comprising at least one second removable wall, wherein the first and second transportable coating modules are joinable when the first and second removable walls are removed, and a plurality of coating components fixed within the first and second transportable coating modules that combine to create a coating operation. The transportable coating module further includes a transportable control module that comprises a control system that operably connects to the plurality of coating components to operably control the coating operation.

Abstract: A system for use in removing a multi-layer coating from a substrate is provided. The multi-layer coating includes a first coating applied to the substrate and a second coating applied over the first coating. The first coating is formed from a first material and the second coating is formed from a second material different from the first material. The system includes a grinding mechanism configured to remove the multi-layer coating from the substrate, and a controller coupled in communication with the grinding mechanism. The controller is configured to position the grinding mechanism against the multi-layer coating, initiate a first removal mode that directs the grinding mechanism to traverse across the substrate, monitor a variable operating parameter of the grinding mechanism during the first removal mode, and evaluate a value of the variable operating parameter against a predetermined threshold to determine whether the second coating has been removed from the substrate.

Abstract: A coating process is provided. The coating process includes positioning a component within an enclosed coating system, the enclosed coating system including a coating apparatus, applying a first coating over at least a portion of the component, then robotically applying a mask to the component, then applying a second coating over at least the portion of the component. The component remains within the enclosed coating system throughout the process. Another process also includes removing a first coating head portion of the coating apparatus after applying the first coating and replacing the first coating head portion with a masking head portion, then removing the masking head portion after robotically applying the mask to the component and replacing the masking head portion with a second coating head portion.

Abstract: A system for use in removing a multi-layer coating from a substrate is provided. The multi-layer coating includes a first coating applied to the substrate and a second coating applied over the first coating. The first coating is formed from a first material and the second coating is formed from a second material different from the first material. The system includes a grinding mechanism configured to remove the multi-layer coating from the substrate, and a controller coupled in communication with the grinding mechanism. The controller is configured to position the grinding mechanism against the multi-layer coating, initiate a first removal mode that directs the grinding mechanism to traverse across the substrate, monitor a variable operating parameter of the grinding mechanism during the first removal mode, and evaluate a value of the variable operating parameter against a predetermined threshold to determine whether the second coating has been removed from the substrate.

Abstract: Pressure maskers for masking at least one passageway of an article include a body portion that surrounds at least a portion of the article around the at least one passageway, at least one fluid inlet connected to the body portion that provides a conduit for pressurized masking fluid to pass from an exterior of the pressure masker to an interior of the pressure masker, wherein the article is at least partially disposed within the interior of the pressure masker, and at least one seal that seals the body portion at least partially around the article such that the pressurized masking fluid that enters the interior of the pressure masker is at least partially forced through the at least one passageway.

Abstract: Systems and methods of treating, e.g., stripping and coating, a target surface of an article including a passageway are disclosed. The systems may fluidly connect a pressure masker including pressurized masking fluid to a first side of the passageway, passing the pressurized masking fluid through the passageway from the first side to a second side including the target surface, and, submerging at least a portion of the target surface in a treatment bath, wherein the pressurized masking fluid passing through the passageway prevents the treatment bath from entering the passageway.

Abstract: Recoating process and recoated turbine blade are disclosed. The recoating process includes providing a coated turbine blade, then removing a portion of the thermal barrier coating system to form a partially-stripped turbine blade, then applying a bond recoat to the stripped region of the partially-stripped turbine blade; and then applying a thermal barrier recoat to the bond recoat to form a recoated turbine blade. The recoated turbine blade comprises the bond coating portion abutting the bond recoat, the thermal barrier coating portion abutting the thermal barrier recoat, and the stepped configuration. The coated turbine blade has a thermal barrier coating system positioned on a substrate. The partially-stripped turbine blade has a stripped region, a bond coating portion, a thermal barrier coating portion, and a stepped configuration.

Abstract: A method of locally inspecting and repairing a coated component is provided. The method includes determining an area of interest on the coated component, wherein the area of interest has little to no visible damage. The method also includes removing a coating proximate the area of interest to expose a base material of the coated component. The method further includes inspecting the area of interest for damage to the base material.