Thermo-mechanical fatigue characterization of Zirconia (8% Y₂O₃ - ZrO₂) and mullite thermal barrier coatings on diesel engine components

Abstract

8%Y₂O₃-stabilized zirconia (8YPSZ) and mullite (3Al₂O₃.2SiO₂) powders, which were made plasma sprayable by using an organic binder (polyvinyl alcohol), have been plasma spray coated on to the piston head, valves and cylinder head of a 3.8kW single-cylinder diesel engine, previously coated with Ni-Cr-Al-Y bond coat. The engine with components coated with 250 µm thick 8YPSZ and 1 mm thick mullite thermal barrier coatings has been evaluated for fuel efficiency and for endurance during 500 h long rigorous tests. Improved fuel efficiency was shown by the engine with coated components and the results are discussed. The coatings and the coated components have also been examined for phases, microstructure and chemical composition by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). Mullite coatings were found to exhibit increased resistance to microcracking compared with 8YPSZ during the 500 h endurance test.