CONCEPT OF FUNCTIONALLY GRADED MATERIALS FOR ADVANCED THERMAL BARRIERCOATING APPLICATIONS

This feature article explores the concept of creating functionally gra ded metal-ceramic composite microstructures for thermal barrier coatin gs used in gas-turbine applications, From a thermomechanical perspecti ve, this concept offers the possibility of significantly improving the life and reliability of thermal barrier coatings, However, prior rese arch reveals that progress has been somewhat limited because of the ox idative instability exhibited by some metal-ceramic composite microstr uctures, The present study addresses some of the materials criteria an d research issues associated with preparing chemically stable, yet mec hanically durable, graded metal-ceramic microstructures for realistic application environments.