Researchers led by Shandong University have crafted a pioneering biomimetic teakwood environmental barrier coating aimed at enhancing aircraft engine durability. Their novel deposition method replicates teakwood’s layered structure, promising significant improvements in mechanical performance and corrosion resistance.
In a new study, researchers from Shandong University and Guangdong Academy of Sciences have developed an innovative environmental barrier coating (EBC) inspired by the natural structure of teakwood. This biomimetic approach is set to significantly boost the mechanical performance and corrosion resistance of coatings used in high-temperature environments, including aircraft engines.
The cross-disciplinary team has leveraged a unique alternating vapor/liquid phase deposition method to replicate teakwood’s multi-layered, highly stable structure within their EBC.
This technology incorporates nano Yb2Si2O7 and Yb2SiO5 composites using plasma spraying-physical vapor deposition (PS-PVD) methods.
“Biomimetic research on environmental barrier coatings is relatively rare, primarily because there are significant challenges in precisely controlling the composition and structure of the coatings during the high-temperature spraying process,” corresponding author Guifang Han, a professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Shandong University, said in a news release. “We have chosen teak, known for its excellent mechanical properties and environmental durability, as the biomimetic subject.”
The team’s novel method controls the evaporation and deposition of SiO2 through arc current adjustments.
An in-situ reaction facilitated by heat treatment transforms the SiO2, deposited in layers, into a robust multi-layer structure that mimics teakwood. This promises enhanced performance and durability for applications in gas turbine engines, which operate under highly demanding conditions.
“From a thermodynamic perspective, we have conducted an in-depth analysis of the deposition mechanism of volatilized SiO2 gas during the spraying process. We have ingeniously applied heat treatment technology to facilitate an in-situ reaction between the gas-phase deposited SiO2 and Yb2SiO5, which is produced from the decomposition of Yb2Si2O7 powder, to re-form Yb2Si2O7,” added Han. “This approach allows us to simultaneously regulate the composition, structure, and nanoscale dimensions of the coating, successfully achieving a functional structure that biomimics teak wood.”
The researchers pinpointed the deposition mechanism during the spraying process and formulated ways to optimize the composition and nano-level dimensions of the coating.
The outcomes of the study, recently published in the Journal of Advanced Ceramics, indicate promising advancements in coating technologies aimed at high-temperature applications.
Despite these advances, Han emphasized that further investigations are required. Future research will focus on systematically evaluating the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of these coatings, comparing them with existing literature to validate their practicality.
With a vision toward commercializing this innovative technology, the team aims to enhance the efficiency of high-temperature protective applications, potentially revolutionizing the aerospace industry and beyond.