Modelling evaporation in electron-beam physical vapour deposition of thermal barrier coatings

Abstract This work presents computational models of ingot evaporation for electron-beam physical vapour deposition (EB-PVD) that can be applied to the and development thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). TBCs are insulating protect aero-engine components from high temperatures, which above component’s melting point. The advanced is fuelled by need improve engine efficiency increasing operating temperature. Rare-earth zirconates (REZ) have been proposed as next-generation due their low coefficient conductivity resistance molten calcium-magnesium alumina-silicates (CMAS). However, REZ has proven challenging, with some displaying compositional segregation across thickness. form part a larger analytical model spans whole EB-PVD process. focus on evaporation, implemented in MATLAB include data 6 oxides: ZrO 2 , Y O 3 Gd Er La Yb . Two (2D 3D) successfully evaluate rates constituent oxides multiple-REZ ingots, used highlight incompatibilities preferential these oxides. A third (local composition activated, LCA) predicts rate replicates cyclic change evaporated plume, manifested changes coating’s validated experimental Cranfield University’s coaters, published pressure calculations formulas described literature.