Thermally Sprayed Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC) Systems: A Survey of Recent Patents

The continuing quest for increased combustion temperatures within aerospace gas turbines has led to a flurry of R&D activities. The contribution is aimed at providing insight into most recent developments in terms of materials selection, processing technologies, in-service performance, and application of heat-insulating ceramics with (1) high melting point, (2) low coefficient of thermal conductivity, (3) high coefficient of thermal expansion, (4) resistance to solid particle erosion (SPE), (5) high thermal shock resistance, and (6) oxidation resistance. The survey of patented research in the area of thermal barrier coatings described below covers the period from 2006 to early 2008 even though several earlier patents have also been considered when appropriate.