Vitreous Glass Monocoating for Ceramic Matrix Composite Turbine Substrates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turbine engine components face durability challenges due to exposure to high temperatures and corrosive/oxidative conditions, where existing multi-layer coating systems are complex and require metallic bond coats, which may not adequately protect against moisture and degradation.

Innovation Solution

A monocoating system using vitreous glass is applied directly to a ceramic matrix composite substrate with a continuous ceramic matrix phase and fiber phase, providing a seal and thermal barrier without the need for traditional metallic bond coats, and including an interface coating of boron to enhance interfacial bonding and protect against moisture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a multi-layer coating system with metallic bond coats is used, then thermal and erosion barrier protection is provided, but the coating system becomes complex and may not adequately protect against moisture and degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against moisture and degradationVSAvoidcoating system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the metallic bond coat layer from the traditional multi-layer coating system, retaining only the ceramic barrier coating layer. This simplification removes the source of moisture intrusion while maintaining thermal and erosion protection, directly resolving the contradiction between protection effectiveness and system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite coating system consisting of a ceramic barrier coating layer combined with a moisture barrier layer. This composite structure provides comprehensive protection against thermal, erosive, and moisture-related degradation without requiring complex multi-layer metallic bond coats, achieving both reliability and simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a traditional multi-layer coating system is used, then thermal barrier protection is provided, but the coating requires metallic bond coats that may not adequately protect against moisture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against moisture intrusionVSAvoidcoating application complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the metallic bond coat layer entirely, eliminating the manufacturing complexity associated with applying and bonding metallic layers. The simplified single-layer ceramic coating with integrated moisture barrier properties is easier to apply and manufacture while providing equivalent or superior moisture protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters of the coating system by transitioning from metallic bond coats to a ceramic-based monocoating with specific compositional parameters (ceramic matrix, fiber reinforcement, moisture barrier additives). This parameter change enables moisture protection without the manufacturing complexities of metallic bonding processes

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 vitreous glass monocoating effectively seals and protects the substrate from high-temperature environments, preventing moisture intrusion and degradation, thus enhancing the durability and longevity of turbine engine components.

Implementation Method 1

A monocoating is disposed directly on the heat-exposure surface. The monocoating includes vitreous glass, to seal the ceramic matrix composite from the surrounding environment.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

The barrier coating system is a multi-layer coating that includes one or more ceramic layers, such as stabilized zirconia... The ceramic layers serve as a thermal and erosion barrier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal barrier: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

The ceramic matrix composite includes a continuous ceramic matrix phase, a fiber phase within the matrix phase and an interface coating comprising boron between the matrix phase and the fiber phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterfacial bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 4

Turbine engine components typically operate under severe environmental conditions. For example, the environment includes exposure to high temperatures and corrosive/oxidative and erosive conditions from combustion gases.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorrosion resistance:

Data Source

PatentEP2530062B1Turbine engine including an article having a monocoating comprising vitreous glass
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 UNITED TECH CORP
  • EP2530062B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2530062B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

An article (70) includes a ceramic matrix composite substrate (74) with a heat-exposure surface (76) and a monocoating (72) disposed directly on the heat-exposure surface (76). The monocoating (72) includes vitreous glass to seal the ceramic matrix composite from the surrounding environment.