Numerical analysis of plasma-sprayed ceramic coatings for high-temperature applications

The finite element method is employed in conjunction with micromechanical modelling in order to assess the performance of ceramic thermal barrier coatings applied to structural components. The study comprises the conditions of the deposition of the coating by plasma spraying as well as the thermal cycling of the coated component, and it addresses particularly turbine blades. They are exposed to high temperature changes strongly influencing the behaviour of the core material and inducing damage in the ceramic material by intense straining. A concept of failure analysis is discussed starting from distributed microcracking in the ceramic material, progressing to the formation of macroscopic crack patterns sind examining their potential for propagation across the coating. The theory is in good agreement with experimental observations, and may therefore be utilized in proposing improvements for a delayed initiation of failure, thus increasing the lifetime of components with ceramic thermal barrier coatings.