In situ testing of jet engine turbine blade coatings

摘要

Researchers develop an in situ process for evaluating thermal barrier coatings under the severe operating conditions in a jet engine. COATINGS CAN PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN ENHANCING THE PERFORMANCE OF SPECIFIC COMPONENTS in automotive and industrial applications. A prime example was noted in a previous TLT article which discusses a coating for a piston skirt used to guide a piston in moving up and down in the cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The purpose of the piston skirt coating is to reduce friction and provide scuff resistance as the engine is in operation. The article discusses the development of a new piston skirt coating based on a blend of graphite, molybdenum disulfide and carbon fibers. A further reduction in friction by 18 percent and a substantial reduction in wear were achieved in testing the new coating.