Investigation of High Temperature Compressor Abradable Coatings for Gas Turbine Applications

Abradable coatings are typically applied on compressor section of gas turbine to reduce air leakage and increase compressor performance. In pursuit of engine efficiency, service temperature of each components are higher than before. The use of the nickel-graphite in compressor applications in the higher temperature environment diminishes the abradable property of the coating. In current study, a series of abradable coatings were prepared with combustion and plasma spray methods and tested at gas turbine conditions. Coating microstructure, hardness, abradability, and erosion resistant were investigated and compared with conventional nickel-graphite coating. In addition, coatings were aged to mimic the aging cycle in industrial gas turbine and compared to the as-sprayed coating properties.