Solid particle erosion of a plasma spray – physical vapor deposition environmental barrier coating in a combustion environment

Environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) were developed to reduce the susceptibility of SiC-based composites rapid volatilization and surface recession that occurs in presence water vapor. Extensive research development has been performed on EBCs, their corresponding failure mechanisms under different environmental conditions. However, one key mechanism, solid particle erosion (SPE), not thoroughly investigated. As a result, present work investigates SPE behavior ytterbium disilicate (Yb2Si2O7) coating (EBC) deposited via plasma spray-physical vapor deposition (PS-PVD). Erosion testing was at elevated temperature (1200 °C) simulated combustion environment NASA Glenn Research Center Burner Rig Facility. Alumina (Al2O3) particles used as eroding media. A range kinetic energies impingement angles investigated along with effect roughness. The post-erosion damage morphology characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). PS-PVD EBC shown be comparable other systems reported literature.