What are ceramic Coatings?

Advancing Ceramic Coatings for Engine Life and Efficiency

Materials Research Engineer Bryan Harder examines coatings deposited on silicon carbide parts in the Plasma Spray-Physical Vapor Deposition Rig at NASA Glenn.Credits: NASAAdvancing the efficiency of aircraft engines can be improved significantly by increasing the temperature at which they operate.  Engine components today are made of super alloys, but operating conditions take these materials to their fundamental limits.  In order to further improve fuel efficiency, a new class of ceramic materials made from silicon carbide, are being incorporated into engines. These materials are lighter and can withstand higher temperatures than the super alloys being used today.  However, these ceramics erode in combustion environments due to the presence of water vapor.To solve this problem, scientists and engineers at NASA’s Glenn Research Center have pioneered a process that applies thin, smooth ceramic coating materials to protect the silicon carbide parts.It all happens in the Plasma Spray-Physical Vapor Deposition Rig, a 10 by 6 foot stainless steel chamber.  Materials Research Engineer Bryan Harder explains how it works. “The torch creates a high-powered plasma that vaporizes ceramic material and deposits it onto parts very precisely to create durable, long-lasting coatings to protect the components from environmental attack.”