Brazed Hardfacing Coating With Alumina Barrier for Oxidation Wear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine components face mechanical and oxidation wear due to high temperatures and mechanical contact, leading to coating degradation and reduced longevity.

Innovation Solution

A material coating is formed by combining hardfacing material, aluminum-containing particles, and a braze material, thermally treated to create a self-limiting oxide layer that reduces oxidation and enhances binding, thereby improving wear resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a hardfacing material coating is applied to provide mechanical wear resistance, then wear resistance is improved, but oxidation resistance deteriorates at high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical wear resistanceVSAvoidoxidation resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coating is formulated as a composite material containing hardfacing particles (for mechanical wear resistance), aluminum-containing particles (for oxidation resistance), and braze material. This composite structure allows simultaneous achievement of both mechanical wear resistance and oxidation resistance by combining materials with complementary properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The coating creates different functional zones: an outer oxide-forming layer (from aluminum-containing particles) that provides oxidation resistance, and an inner hardfacing layer that provides mechanical wear resistance. Each zone performs its specific function locally, with the oxide layer protecting the underlying hardfacing material from oxidation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the coating is exposed to high temperatures to form an oxide layer, then oxidation resistance is improved, but mechanical wear resistance deteriorates due to beta depletion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidation resistanceVSAvoidmechanical wear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Aluminum-containing particles are incorporated into the coating formulation before application. During thermal exposure, these particles preferentially oxidize to form a protective oxide layer that prevents beta depletion of the hardfacing material, thereby preserving mechanical wear resistance while providing oxidation protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The aluminum-containing particles act as an intermediary between the oxygen environment and the hardfacing material. They form a sacrificial oxide layer that mediates the interaction between oxygen and the hardfacing material, preventing direct oxidation of the hardfacing particles and maintaining their mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If a thick coating is applied to ensure adequate protection, then longevity is improved, but coating degradation accelerates due to beta depletion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating longevityVSAvoidcoating composition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Aluminum-containing particles are pre-incorporated into the coating formulation before application. During initial thermal exposure, these particles oxidize to form a protective layer that prevents subsequent beta depletion, thereby extending coating longevity while maintaining compositional stability throughout the coating thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The coating provides extended longevity and improved mechanical wear resistance by forming a thin, self-limiting oxide layer that reduces beta depletion and erosion, maintaining performance across a range of temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

thermally treating the material coating at a temperature to generate an oxide layer comprising aluminum from the aluminum-containing particles, wherein the oxide layer is configured to reduce oxidation of the hardfacing material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

the braze material is configured to facilitate binding between the material coating and the surface of the machine component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBrazing: Brazing

Data Source

PatentEP4140634A1Oxidation and wear resistant brazed coating
Publication Date: 2023.03.01 GENERAL ELECTRIC TECH GMBH
  • EP4140634A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4140634A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4140634A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A method includes applying a material coating (12) to a surface of a machine component (14), wherein the material coating (12) is formed from a combination of a hardfacing material (20), aluminum-containing particles (18), and a braze material (22). The method also includes thermally treating (26) the material coating (12) at a temperature to generate an oxide layer (32) comprising aluminum from the aluminum-containing particles (18), wherein the oxide layer (32) is configured to reduce oxidation of the hardfacing material (20), and the braze material (22) is configured to facilitate binding between the material coating (12) and the surface of the machine component (14).