Improved protective coatings for high temperature components resulting from DTI/EPSRC research training scheme
Improved protective coatings for high temperature components resulting from DTI/EPSRC research training scheme
Keywords TWI, University of Cambridge, Coatings, Thermal spray
Research carried out by James Hearley, a postgraduate student within the TWI/University of Cambridge Postgraduate Training Partnership (PTP), is pointing the way to increased service life of engineering components working in aggressive environments.
The research is concerned with High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) thermal spraying, a process which applies low porosity, strongly adhering coatings to protect against high temperature oxidation and corrosion. James is investigating use of the process to deposit intermetallic compounds on to vulnerable parts in gas turbine and waste incinerator plant.
This programme within the TWI/Cambridge partnership is jointly supervised by experts within each organisation. The Partnership is one of eight formed in a joint initiative by the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The PTP scheme has twin objectives - research training of well-qualified graduates leading to a PhD, and transfer of new skills and knowledge to industry.
In his research James has characterised the properties of nickel-aluminide(NiAl) and found that it is possible to deposit this intermetallic compound by HVOF as a high quality coating. Corrosion behaviour in air chlorine mixture has been evaluated at high temperatures along with resistance to thermal cycling.
Initial results have shown that the coating provides improved properties compared with more conventional materials, such as nickel alloys and stainless steel. In addition, some results in erosion testing show that good corrosion resistance is combined with excellent protection against this form of wear.
The feasibility of using lower cost, less resistant substrates with a high performance protective coating offers the possibility of enhanced cost-effectiveness allied with increased serviceability and ongoing environmental benefits.
James explained the advantages of PTP: "Within the scheme you are working on a project with clearly-defined industrial objectives and you also receive formal training in the core competencies for a career in industry. It's an excellent mix, which I would recommend to anyone with a real interest in the industrial applications of research". Recently James also had the opportunity to travel to Japan and China as part of the project, where he delivered a paper on his findings so far.
In TWI and Cambridge the Partnership brings together the world centre for joining technology and four five-star rated University Departments. It is now recruiting well- qualified graduates to begin projects in October 1999. For more information about the PTP scheme and an indication of typical projects, readers are invited to visit TWI's Web site at http://www.twi.co.uk For details of how to apply, contact (quoting NR5/99):Dr Rosie Ward, PTP Co-ordinator, c/o Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ http://www.msm.cam.ac.uk
For further details contact: Tel: +44 (0)1223 891162; Fax: +44 (0)1223 892588; E-mail: sssutton@twi.co.uk
