Impact of plasma parameters on the deposition of environmental barrier coatings

Environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) are essential for enhancing the performance of advanced gas turbine components that employ ceramic matrix composites. Plasma spraying remains the primary technique for applying these coatings. Currently, rare earth silicate materials are preferred for the barrier layer; however, their processing presents unique challenges compared to zirconia-based thermal barrier coatings. These challenges include silica volatilization during spraying and the formation of amorphous and metastable phases upon deposition.

This paper examines the deposition of ytterbium disilicate and explores the effects of various plasma spray parameters—including gas mixture, flow rate, and net power—on particle in-flight properties. We will also discuss how these parameters influence the resulting coating structure. The findings aim to provide insights into optimizing the processing conditions for rare earth silicate EBCs, ultimately contributing to the advancement of gas turbine technology.