Mechanical behavior of thermal barrier coatings for gas turbine blades

Plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) will enable turbine components to operate at higher temperatures and lower cooling gas flow rates; thereby improving their efficiency. Future developments are limited by precise knowledge of the material properties and failure mechanisms of the coating system. Details of this nature are needed for realistic modelling of the coating system which will, in turn, promote advancements in coating technology. This paper details complementary experiments and analytical modelling which has been undertaken in order to define and measure the important failure processes for plasma-sprayed coatings