SiOC Metal Ceramic Coating for Gas Turbine Thermal Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Machine components, such as those in gas turbine engines, face challenges with high temperatures, corrosive, and oxidative conditions, requiring improved thermal and oxidative stability that existing coatings fail to adequately provide.

Innovation Solution

A ceramic structure with a composition of SiOxMzCy, where Si is silicon, O is oxygen, M is at least one metal, and C is carbon, applied as a uniform layer on substrates like superalloys or ceramics, which includes 0.5-20 at% metal, selected from various metals, forming a thermally stable glass that gets oxygen and seals microcracks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional coatings are applied to improve thermal and oxidative stability, then some protection is achieved, but the protection is inadequate under high temperature and corrosive conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal and oxidative stabilityVSAvoidhigh temperature and corrosive environment damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the ceramic coating by incorporating specific metal elements (Al, B, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Cr, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Re, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) at controlled concentrations (0.1-10 wt%) into the Si-O-C matrix. This compositional parameter change enables the coating to form protective glassy oxides at high temperatures that conventional coatings cannot achieve, thereby improving thermal and oxidative stability while resisting corrosive environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite ceramic material system combining Si-O-C base matrix with multiple metal oxides formed in situ. The composite structure integrates the thermal stability of Si-O-C with the protective properties of metal oxides (such as Al2O3, B2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, etc.), achieving synergistic effects that provide superior protection against high temperatures, oxidation, and corrosion compared to conventional single-phase coatings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If ceramic coatings are applied to protect substrates, then thermal stability is improved, but microcracks may form and propagate under thermal stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidresistance to microcrack propagation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the chemical composition parameters to include specific metal elements that form glassy phases upon oxidation. These glassy phases have different thermal expansion coefficients and viscosities that can accommodate thermal stress, reducing the formation and propagation of microcracks while maintaining thermal stability. The controlled addition of metals like B, Al, and Si creates a more crack-resistant glassy matrix.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition of metal-containing glassy materials that occur at high temperatures. Upon oxidation, the metal elements transform into glassy oxides that can undergo viscous flow and phase transitions, allowing the coating to self-heal microcracks through stress relaxation and material redistribution, thereby maintaining structural integrity under thermal cycling conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

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 ceramic structure enhances thermal stability, durability, and oxidative resistance by forming a glassy or crystalline oxide that softens to seal microcracks, protecting the substrate from elevated temperatures and corrosive environments.

Implementation Method 1

forming a thermally stable glass that gets oxygen and seals microcracks

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGlass transition: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

forming a glassy or crystalline oxide that softens to seal microcracks

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

the forming includes pyrolysis of a preceramic polymer material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP2617693B1Article including ceramic structure
Publication Date: 2017.10.04 UNITED TECH CORP
  • EP2617693B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2617693B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2617693B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

An article which includes a structure of a ceramic material that has a composition SiOxMzCy, where Si is silicon, O is oxygen, M is at least one metal and C is carbon and wherein x < 2, y > 0 and z < 1 and x and z are non-zero.