Oxidation Resistant Coating for Single Crystal Substrates

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current metallic coatings for gas turbine engine components, such as MCrAlY and aluminide coatings, exhibit oxidation and reaction zone issues with newer single crystal substrate alloys, compromising their mechanical properties and oxidation resistance.

Innovation Solution

A coating composition comprising 11-14 wt% chromium, 11-14 wt% cobalt, 7.5-9.5 wt% aluminum, 0.20-0.60 wt% yttrium, 0.10-0.50 wt% hafnium, 0.10-0.30 wt% silicon, and 0.10-0.20 wt% zirconium, with the balance being nickel, applied using techniques like plasma spray or physical vapor deposition, providing substrate compatibility and reduced secondary reaction zone formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If MCrAlY or aluminide coatings are applied to single crystal substrate alloys, then oxidation protection is provided, but detrimental reaction zones form that compromise mechanical properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidation protectionVSAvoidmechanical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The coating composition parameters are precisely controlled within specific ranges: 8-12 wt% Al, 2-5 wt% Y, 0.5-2 wt% Hf, 0.5-2 wt% Si, and 0.1-0.5 wt% Zr. These parameter changes optimize the balance between oxidation protection and minimizing detrimental reaction zones with single crystal substrates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The coating is a composite material combining multiple elements (Ni, Cr, Al, Y, Hf, Si, Zr) where each element contributes specific properties. Yttrium provides oxidation resistance, hafnium and zirconium control reaction zone formation, and silicon enhances hot corrosion resistance, creating a synergistic composite coating system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If aluminum content in coating is increased to improve oxidation resistance, then protective scale formation is enhanced, but secondary reaction zone formation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidation resistanceVSAvoidsecondary reaction zone formation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The aluminum content is precisely controlled within 8-12 wt%, avoiding both deficiency (insufficient protection) and excess (excessive reaction zones). This parameter optimization, combined with reactive element additions, achieves the optimal balance between protective scale formation and reaction zone control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Reactive elements (Y, Hf, Si, Zr) act as intermediaries that modify the interaction between aluminum and the single crystal substrate. These elements control the diffusion processes and reaction kinetics, reducing the formation of detrimental secondary reaction zones while maintaining aluminum's protective function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If reactive elements (Y, Hf, Si, Zr) are added to improve oxidation resistance, then protective properties are enhanced, but oxidation kinetics may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidation protectionVSAvoidoxidation kinetics
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The concentrations of reactive elements are precisely controlled: Y (2-5 wt%), Hf (0.5-2 wt%), Si (0.5-2 wt%), and Zr (0.1-0.5 wt%). These parameter changes ensure sufficient oxidation protection while limiting excessive oxidation kinetics that would occur with higher reactive element content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-element composite coating creates a synergistic effect where reactive elements provide oxidation resistance through controlled scale formation, while their specific concentration ranges prevent excessive oxidation kinetics. The composite structure balances protective properties with oxidation rate control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 demonstrates enhanced oxidation resistance, corrosion resistance, and mechanical properties comparable to MCrAlY coatings, with improved spallation resistance and hot corrosion resistance, maintaining performance equivalent to traditional coatings under high-temperature conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The coating demonstrates enhanced oxidation resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation resistance: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

The coating demonstrates enhanced corrosion resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorrosion resistance:

Data Source

PatentEP2617862B1Oxidation resistant coating with substrate compatibility
Publication Date: 2014.08.06 UNITED TECH CORP
  • EP2617862B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

An oxidation resistant coating (12) has a composition which comprises from 11 to 14 wt% chromium, from 11 to 14 wt% cobalt, from 7.5 to 9.5 wt% aluminum, from 0.20 to 0.60 wt% yttrium, from 0.10 to 0.50 wt% hafnium, from 0.10 to 0.30 wt% silicon, from 0.10 to 0.20 wt% zirconium, and the balance nickel.