Abstract: Coating components having a layer with a composition comprising a rare earth-doped zirconium/hafnium oxide are provided. The rare earth-doped zirconium/hafnium oxide has a formula: (Ln1aLn2aLn3aLn4aLn5b)2M2O7 where each of Ln1, Ln2, Ln3, Ln4, and Ln5 is a different rare earth element such that Ln1 and M have a first atomic radius ratio that is 1.35 to 1.45, Ln2 and M have a second atomic radius ratio that is 1.35 to 1.45, Ln3 and M have a third atomic radius ratio that is 1.46 to 1.78, and Ln4 and M have a fourth radius ratio that is 1.46 to 1.78; a is 0.2 or 0.25; b is 0.2 when a is 0.2, and b is 0 when a is 0.25; and M is Zr, Hf, or a mixture thereof. Methods of forming a coating that includes this composition, along with the resulting coated components, are also provided.

Abstract: A composition comprising a rare earth-doped zirconium/hafnium oxide is provided that has a defect-fluorite structure or a pyrochlore structure. The rare earth-doped zirconium/hafnium oxide has a formula: (Ln1aLn2aLn3aLn4aLn5b)2M2O7 where each of Ln1, Ln2, Ln3, Ln4, and Ln5 is a different rare earth element such that Ln1 and M have a first atomic radius ratio that is 1.35 to 1.45, Ln2 and M have a second atomic radius ratio that is 1.35 to 1.45, Ln3 and M have a third atomic radius ratio that is 1.46 to 1.78, and Ln4 and M have a fourth radius ratio that is 1.46 to 1.78; a is 0.2 or 0.25; b is 0.2 when a is 0.2, and b is 0 when a is 0.25; and M is Zr, Hf, or a mixture thereof. Methods of forming a coating that includes this composition, along with the resulting coated components, are also provided.

Abstract: A composition comprising an yttria-rare earth-doped zirconium oxide is provided that has a tetragonal structure and a formula: YaLnbCexZr1-a-b-xO2-? where Ln is a mixture of rare earth elements; 0.01?a?0.051; 0.01?b?0.051 such that Y and each rare earth element is included in the composition in substantially equal molar amounts; 0.05?(a+b)?0.07; 0?x?0.051; and 0???0.05. Methods of forming a coating that includes this composition, along with the resulting coated components, are also provided.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming a thermal barrier coating having a non-linear compositional gradient and/or a non-linear porosity gradient, along with coated components formed therefrom. The method includes spraying a deposition mixture of a first composition and a second composition via a solution precursor plasma spray apparatus onto a surface of a substrate; while spraying the deposition mixture, adjusting at least one deposition parameter such that the thermal barrier coating is formed with the non-linear gradient.

Abstract: A coating method is provided. The coating method includes applying, via electrophoretic deposition or slurry deposition, an overcoat composition on an outer surface of a thermal barrier coating system on a substrate. The overcoat composition includes a coating material comprising a plurality of particles having a particle size of less than 1000 nm. The method includes sintering the overcoat composition in the presence of one or more sintering aids to form an overcoat layer having a surface roughness of less than 1 micrometer.

Abstract: A composition is provided of a rare earth-doped zirconium oxide having a tetragonal structure and having a formula: YaLnbTaxNbzZr1-a-b-x-zO2-? where Ln is a rare earth element or a mixture of rare earth elements; 0?a?0.06; 0.06?b?0.12; 0?x?0.1; 0?z?0.1; 0.08?(x+z)?0.1; 0.16?(a+b+x+z)?0.22; and 0.01???0.05. Methods of forming a coating with this composition, along with the coated components, are also provided.

Abstract: A composition comprising an yttria-rare earth-doped zirconium oxide is provided that has a tetragonal structure and a formula: YaLnbCexZr1-a-b-xO2-? where Ln is a mixture of rare earth elements; 0.01?a?0.051; 0.01?b?0.051 such that Y and each rare earth element is included in the composition in substantially equal molar amounts; 0.05?(a+b)?0.07; 0?x?0.051; and 0???0.05. Methods of forming a coating that includes this composition, along with the resulting coated components, are also provided.

Abstract: Coated components, along with methods of their formation, are provided. The coated component may include a substrate having a surface and a thermal barrier coating on the surface of the substrate. The thermal barrier coating includes a plurality of elongated surface-connected voids therein, and wherein the thermal barrier coating comprises a plurality of nonspherical particles within a thermal barrier material.

Abstract: A composition comprising a rare earth-doped zirconium/hafnium oxide is provided that has a defect-fluorite structure or a pyrochlore structure. The rare earth-doped zirconium/hafnium oxide has a formula: (Ln1aLn2aLn3aLn4aLn5b)2M2O7 where each of Ln1, Ln2, Ln3, Ln4, and Ln5 is a different rare earth element such that Ln1 and M have a first atomic radius ratio that is 1.35 to 1.45, Ln2 and M have a second atomic radius ratio that is 1.35 to 1.45, Ln3 and M have a third atomic radius ratio that is 1.46 to 1.78, and Ln4 and M have a fourth radius ratio that is 1.46 to 1.78; a is 0.2 or 0.25; b is 0.2 when a is 0.2, and b is 0 when a is 0.25; and M is Zr, Hf, or a mixture thereof. Methods of forming a coating that includes this composition, along with the resulting coated components, are also provided.

Abstract: A composition comprising a rare earth solid solution, at least one of HfO2 and CaZrO3/MgZrO3; and balance ZrO2. The rare earth solid solution may include Gd2O3 and Lu2O3. In another example, the rare earth solid solution may include Gd2O3, Lu2O3, and at least one of Yb2O3 and Sm2O3.

Abstract: This disclosure includes the description of a braze alloy composition. The braze composition contains nickel, about 5% by weight to about 25% by weight germanium; and about 1% by weight to about 4% by weight boron. The composition has an amorphous structure, and is free of silicon.

Abstract: A braze alloy composition for sealing a ceramic component to a metal component in an electrochemical cell is presented. The braze alloy composition includes copper, nickel, and an active metal element. The braze alloy includes nickel in an amount less than about 30 weight percent, and the active metal element in an amount less than about 10 weight percent. An electrochemical cell using the braze alloy for sealing a ceramic component to a metal component in the cell is also provided.

Abstract: A braze alloy composition for sealing a ceramic component to a metal component in an electrochemical cell is presented. The braze alloy composition includes copper, nickel, and an active metal element. The braze alloy includes nickel in an amount less than about 30 weight percent, and the active metal element in an amount less than about 10 weight percent. An electrochemical cell using the braze alloy for sealing a ceramic component to a metal component in the cell is also provided.

Abstract: A method for joining a metal component to a ceramic component is presented. The method includes disposing a metallic barrier layer on a metallized portion of the ceramic component, and joining the metal component to the metallized portion of the ceramic component through the metallic barrier layer. The metallic barrier layer comprises nickel and a melting point depressant. The metallic barrier layer is disposed by a screen printing process, followed by sintering the layer at a temperature less than about 1000 degrees Celsius. A sealing structure including a joint between a ceramic component and a metal component is also presented.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is described, including an anodic chamber and a cathodic chamber separated by an electrolyte separator tube, all contained within a cell case. The cell also includes an electrically insulating ceramic collar positioned at an opening of the cathodic chamber, and defining an aperture in communication with the opening; along with a cathode current collector assembly; and at least one metallic ring that has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) in the range of about 3 to about 7.5 ppm/° C., contacting at least a portion of a metallic component within the cell, and an adjacent ceramic component. An active braze alloy composition attaches and hermetically seals the ring to the metallic component and the collar. Sodium metal halide batteries that contain this type of cell are also described, along with methods for sealing structures within the cell.

Abstract: An active braze alloy composition is described, including nickel; or a combination of nickel and cobalt; about 2% by weight to about 30% by weight germanium; and about 1% by weight to about 5% by weight boron and about 0.5% by weight to about 5% by weight of at least active element. The composition is free of silicon. Braze alloy joints formed of the braze alloy composition, and located in various devices, structures, and machines, are also described. A related method for repairing a crack or other cavity within a metal component, using the braze composition, is further described.

Abstract: This disclosure includes the description of a braze alloy composition. The braze composition contains nickel, about 5% by weight to about 25% by weight germanium; and about 1% by weight to about 4% by weight boron. The composition has an amorphous structure, and is free of silicon.

Abstract: The present application provides configurations, components, assemblies and methods for sealing cells of sodium-based thermal batteries, such as NaMx cells. In some embodiments the cells may include an integrated bridge member hermetically sealed to an electrically conductive case and a ceramic collar of the cell to hermetically seal an anodic chamber of the cell. In some embodiments the cells may include the ceramic collar hermetically sealed to an electrolyte separator tube of the cell to hermetically seal the anodic chamber of the cell. In some embodiments the anodic chamber may be defined, at least in part, by the case, integrated bridge member, ceramic collar and electrolyte separator tube. In some embodiments the cells may include a current collector hermetically sealed to the ceramic collar, and a cap member hermetically sealed to the current collector tube to hermetically seal a cathodic chamber of the cell.

Abstract: A method for joining a ceramic component to a metallic component is described. At least one layer of molybdenum is applied to a surface of the ceramic component, by a high-velocity molybdenum wire spray technique. A layer of a nickel-based braze composition is then applied over the molybdenum layer. The braze composition and the ceramic and metallic components are then heated to a sufficient brazing temperature, so as to provide a braze joint between the components. The method can be used to seal an open region of a thermal battery, e.g., a sodium metal halide-based battery.

Abstract: A method for joining a ceramic component to a metallic component is described. At least one initial layer of an active metal is applied to one of the joining surfaces, by a cold spray technique. At least one second layer of a nickel-based braze composition is then applied over the initial layer by cold-spraying. The braze composition and components are then heated, so as to form an active braze joint between them. A method of sealing an open region of a sodium metal halide-based battery is also disclosed, using the brazing technique described herein to form braze joints that seal various components in the battery cells, such as metallic rings and ceramic collar structures.