Non-destructive evaluation of TBC by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

摘要

The objectives of this work focus on studying the feasibility of developing electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as an NDE methodology for quality assurance and post exposure inspection of TBC.; Principally air plasma sprayed TBC was investigated while APS dense vertically cracked TBC and electron beam physical vapor deposition sprayed TBC were also studied using EIS. It has been found that EIS has a great promise in TBC quality assurance and post-exposure assessment.; In the quality evaluation, EIS can detect TBC topcoat thickness, porosity, and kinds of defects (pore shape, cracks, or delamination). The TBC topcoat thickness shows a linear relationship with ceramic resistance. The TBC porosity has a linear relationship with ceramic capacitance. The kinds of defects in TBC topcoat can be assessed by the value of pore resistance.; In the post-exposure inspection, EIS can monitor the evolution of defects in the topcoat, porosity, the growth of TGO and thermal conductivity of TBC. There is an exponential relationship between thermal conductivity and electrochemical impedance or a logarithmic relationship between thermal conductivity and electrochemical conductance.; Investigation on thermal conductivity of TBC showed the specific heat or thermal conductivity of TBC has a logarithmic relationship with temperature, respectively. Exposure temperature and time are two important factors for an increase in thermal conductivity. The higher temperature and longer the exposure, the greater increase the thermal conductivity. High temperature exposure of TBC results in phase transformations, t-ZrO₂ → m-ZrO₂ and t-ZrO₂ → c-ZrO₂ and evolution of defect (ceramic sintering). Both the phase transformations and the sintering cause an increase in thermal conductivity. However, it has been found the phase transformations are only a conservative factor while the sintering is a substantial reason for an increase in thermal conductivity. A failure mode of TBC due to sintering was suggested.; An alternative electrolyte (trifluoroacetic acid) was investigated using EIS in order to be used as compatible or friendly solution to TBC. A similar characteristic EIS result was found using the alternative electrolyte compared with the commonly used electrolyte [Fe(CN)₆]−3/[Fe(CN) ₆]−4 in this work. It has indicated that a friendly electrolyte be viable for EIS technique to be used for non-destructive evaluation of TBC. Visualization of a flexible probe for EIS field detection has also been designed. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)