Method for Predicting Thermal Fatigue Life of Thermal Barrier Coatings Using TGO Interface Stress

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) applied to high-temperature components of gas turbines consist of a ceramic top coat, a metallic bond coat, and thermally grown oxide (TGO) generated between the top coat and bond coat. Because TBCs are subjected to repeated thermal stress at the coating interface under thermal fatigue conditions and eventually breakage, it is crucial to evaluate the thermal fatigue durability of TBCs according to the stress. In this study, coin-type TBC specimens were prepared by depositing commercial coating powders on Ni-based super alloys via the air plasma spray method, and the thermal fatigue life of the TBCs was experimentally evaluated. According to the test results and references, a finite-element analysis was conducted. The maximum stress of the TGO interface was evaluated according to the thickness and equivalent elastic modulus, and simulating the microstructure including the pores of the top coat. Using these relationships, a thermal fatigue life prediction equation considering the coating thickness (t), equivalent elastic modulus (E), and operating temperature (T) was derived, and subsequently verified.