MCrAlY Coating Composition for Superalloy Thermal Expansion Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current corrosion and oxidation barrier coatings for gas turbine engine components, particularly turbine disks, face issues with spallation due to thermal expansion mismatch, limited adhesion, and adverse effects on fatigue life, necessitating a coating that is both chemically and mechanically compatible with superalloys and resistant to high-temperature corrosion and oxidation.

Innovation Solution

A coating composition comprising 15-45 wt% cobalt, 22-25 wt% chromium, 2-15 wt% aluminum, and 0.1-1 wt% yttrium, with a distribution of pinning agents, is applied to the superalloy substrate, providing a CTE match and enhanced adhesion, while maintaining ductility and resistance to spalling and corrosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional corrosion barrier coatings are applied to turbine disks, then corrosion and oxidation resistance is improved, but spallation occurs due to thermal expansion mismatch

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion and oxidation resistanceVSAvoidcoating adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The coating composition is modified by adjusting the ratios of nickel, cobalt, chromium, and aluminum to achieve a coefficient of thermal expansion that matches the superalloy substrate. This parameter change eliminates thermal expansion mismatch and prevents spallation while maintaining corrosion and oxidation resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite coating system consisting of a superalloy substrate with a specifically formulated corrosion barrier coating layer. The composite structure combines materials with compatible thermal expansion properties while providing the necessary corrosion and oxidation protection through the chromia-forming alloy composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If chromium and aluminum levels are increased to form protective oxide scales, then corrosion resistance is improved, but adhesion deteriorates due to thermal expansion mismatch

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidcoating adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The coating composition parameters are optimized by specifying chromium content of 15-30 wt% and aluminum content of 5-15 wt%, with controlled nickel and cobalt ratios. This parameter adjustment allows sufficient chromium and aluminum for protective oxide scale formation while maintaining overall thermal expansion compatibility with the substrate through the balanced alloy composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If coating composition is optimized for corrosion resistance, then protective oxide scale formation is improved, but fatigue life is adversely affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotective oxide scale formationVSAvoidfatigue life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The coating thickness and composition parameters are optimized to provide adequate corrosion protection while minimizing the coating's impact on the substrate's fatigue properties. The specific alloy composition and controlled thickness ensure protective oxide scale formation without creating excessive stress or reducing fatigue life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively prevents corrosion and oxidation, maintains fatigue life, and is compatible with polycrystalline superalloy processing, demonstrating improved durability and resistance to crack initiation in high-temperature environments.

Implementation Method 1

The aluminum contents of diffusion aluminide and MCrAlX coatings contribute to and promote the formation of a stable and environmentally protective alumina (Al 2 O 3) scale on their surfaces at the operating temperatures of turbine blades and vanes.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

A continuous surface layer of a protective oxide, such as chromia (Cr 2 O 3) or alumina (Al 2 O 3), is required to provide good corrosion resistance within the hot gas path of a gas turbine engine.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProtective oxide scale formation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP2971243B1Coatings for metallic substrates
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP2971243B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2971243B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2971243B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

Coatings for substrates, such as superalloy substrates, are provided. The coating can include: 15 wt% to 45 wt% cobalt; 20 wt% to 40 wt% chromium; 2 wt% to 15 wt% aluminum; 0.1 wt% to 1 wt% yttrium; and nickel. The coatings may include nickel, cobalt, chromium and aluminum, and other optional additives to improve oxidation and corrosion resistance of the substrate without significant debit to its mechanical properties.