New Materials for Thermal Barrier Coatings

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are essential for protecting hot-end components of aero-engine and gas turbine against thermal and corrosion damage, thereby improving thermal efficiency and extending its service life. The selection of TBCs materials is crucial including high melting point, low thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, thermal expansion coefficient, substrate matching, and no phase transformation or sintering during service. Yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is a typical material with desirable properties, but it cannot withstand temperatures above 1200 °C for prolonged service. Novel TBCs materials have been developed, including rare earth zirconate, hexaluminate, niobates, and tantalates. This chapter presents an overview of oxide TBCs materials, focusing on rare earth zirconate TBCs and the influence of ion doping, as well as the crystal structures and thermodynamic properties of niobates and tantalates. Finally, this summary work provides insight into the development of TBCs materials.