Environment barrier coatings (EBC) provide effective protection from high-temperature water vapor corrosion for silicon carbide ceramic matrix composites (SiC-CMC), serving as a key material for the next-generation high-temperature components of aircraft engines. This paper reviews the preparation technology and typical structural characteristics for EBC of rare earth silicate/Si bond layer, and discusses the service failure mechanisms in high-temperature engine environments rich in water vapor and deposits CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 (CMAS). Furthermore, addressing issues such as thermal mismatch of coatings, high-temperature water vapor corrosion, CMAS corrosion, and bond coat oxidation, the design and optimization methods of silicate top coats and Si bond coats are summarized from the perspectives of materials and structures. In response to the demand for even higher operating temperatures, advancements in ultra-high-temperature surface layer structure design and the development of new high-temperature-resistant bond coat materials are introduced. Finally, future research directions for high-performance environment barrier coatings are discussed.
REN Mingze, DONG Lin, YANG Guanjun. Research Progress on Material and Structure Optimization of Environmental Barrier Coatings. Journal of Chinese Society for Corrosion and Protection[J], 2025, 45(1): 33-45 DOI:10.11902/1005.4537.2024.283
Fig.3
Evolution of structure and material of EBC system: (a) the first generation-YSZ/Mullite, (b) the second generation-BSAS/Mullite/Si, (c) the third generation-REMS/Mullite/Si[20], (d) the third generation-REDS/Si[21]
Fig.9
Microstructure change of SiO2-TGO corresponding to its thickening and cracking after 200 h (a), 500 h (b) and 1000 h (c) thermal cycling at 1300 oC in air[39]
Fig.11
Influences of temperature and airflow rate on the morphology of EBC during water vapor corrosion: (a) low tem-perature and low flow velocity[3], (b) low temperature and high flow velocity[42], (c) high temperature and high flow velocity[43]
Fig.13
High-temperature CMAS corrosion of EBC: (a) effect of temperature on CaO-AlO1.5-SiO2 equilibrium phase diagram[45],(b) microstructure of YbDS after CMAS corrosion at 1500 oC[46]
Fig.16
Morphological characteristics of plasma sprayed Yb2Si2O7 deposits under the pre-heating conditions of room temper-ature (a), 300 oC (b) and 600 oC (c)[52]
Testing of the corrosion resistance of environmental barrier coating (EBC) systems is necessary for developing reliable coatings. Unfortunately tests under realistic gas turbine conditions are difficult and expensive. The materials under investigation as well as parts of the test setup have to withstand high temperatures (>= 1200 degrees C), high pressure (up to 30 bar) as well as the corrosive atmosphere (H2O, O-2, NOx). Therefore most lab scale test-rigs focus on simplified test conditions. In this work water vapor corrosion testing of EBCs with a high velocity oxy fuel (HVOF) facility is introduced which combines high temperatures and high gas velocities. It leads to quite high recession rates in short periods of time, which are comparable to results from literature. It was found that high flow velocities can easily compensate low gas pressures. HVOF-testing is a simple and fast way to measure the recession rate of an EBC-system. As proof of concept the recession rates of an oxide/oxide CMC with and without EBC were measured.
Ceramic matrix composites are desirable materials for the hot end components of high performance generation aeroengines due to their high temperature resistance, low density and excellent high temperature mechanical properties. However, when exposed to combustion environment, the ceramic matrix composites are subjected to serious water vapor corrosion. Thus, environmental barrier coatings are indispensable to apply to their surfaces to extend their service life.The rare earth silicate has become the primary candidate material for the new generation of environmental barrier coating materials because of its suitable thermal expansion coefficient with the substrate, outstanding water vapor corrosion resistance and high temperature stability. The characteristics, preparation techniques and typical service performance of rare earth silicates were reviewed in this paper, with focus on their classification, thermal/physical properties, as well as the damage and failure mechanisms during high-temperature corrosion processes. Finally, the research directions of high entropy design of multi-component rare-earth silicates and the design of new thermal/environmental barrier coating systems were proposed. This paper aims to provide useful references for the further application of rare earth silicate materials.
High density of the top coat of environmental barrier coatings (EBC) is important for ensuring its performance in water vapor environment, which is also significant for prolonging service lifetime of SiC<sub>f</sub>/SiC aero-engine hot components. In this work, densification of the top coat of EBC was achieved by pre-heat treatment. In detail, the as-sprayed porous Yb<sub>2</sub>SiO<sub>5</sub> coatings were heat-treated at the high temperature of 1250℃ to 1450℃, which improve the density significantly. Changes in microstructure and mechanical properties during the pre-heat treatment were studied by classifying defects into different types. The processes of defects-healing were observed, and the mechanism responsible for coating densification was revealed. Results show that the porosity of as-sprayed Yb<sub>2</sub>SiO<sub>5</sub> coating is high due to the existence of three types of micro-defects, including two-dimensional (2D) inter-splat pores, 2D intra-splat cracks and three-dimensional (3D) spherical pores. During the pre-heat treatment process, 2D defects are healed to be reduced in a large amount in a short duration, while the 3D spherical pores seem unchanged. The mechanism of defects-healing in the heat treatment process is that grain growth inside the coating makes surface of the pores rough, which leads to multiple bridge-connection of 2D pores. As a result, the original continuous defects are divided into several sections and are further spheroidized. The method of pre-heat treatment for APS-EBC would make a fundamental contribution to its further engineering application.
Environmental-barrier coating ceramics for resistance against attack by molten calcia-magnesia-aluminosilicate (CMAS) glass: part II, β-Yb2Si2O7 and β-Sc2Si2O7
Mass spectrometric measurements of the silica activity in the Yb2O3-SiO2 system and implications to assess the degradation of silicate-based coatings in combustion environments
Acid-base reactions of transition metal oxides in the solid state
[J]. J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 1997, 80: 1416
TurcerL R, KrauseA R, GarcesH F.
Environmental-barrier coating ceramics for resistance against attack by molten calcia-magnesia-aluminosilicate (CMAS) glass: part I, YAlO3 and γ-Y2Si2O7
YSi alloy is a promising candidate as oxidation resistant coatings for both the bond coat of environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) and anti-ablation coatings at a high temperature of ∼1300 °C. In this study, a one-step multi-compositional oxidation by rapid heating oxidation mode is proposed to reduce the oxidation rate by 3.6 times compared to conventional slow heating oxidation mode. Results show that preferentially formed Y<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> oxide initiates a multi-step oxidation, produces a cracking and porous oxides, and thereby resulting in a fast oxidation with pesting. The one-step multi-compositional oxidation with a compact and dense Y<sub>2</sub>Si<sub>2</sub>O<sub>7</sub> scale contributes to the much better oxidation resistance for rapid heating oxidation mode of YSi alloy. The stable formation of Y<sub>2</sub>Si<sub>2</sub>O<sub>7</sub> scale is comprehensively understood by the energy barrier, charge density and electronic level based on density functional theory. This study demonstrates a promising application of YSi alloy by rapid heating oxidation mode.
Research progress of CMAS corrosion and protection method for thermal barrier coatings in aero-engines
Influences of temperature and airflow rate on the morphology of EBC during water vapor corrosion: (a) low tem-perature and low flow velocity[3], (b) low temperature and high flow velocity[42], (c) high temperature and high flow velocity[43]Fig.11
Plasma spray deposition of tri-layer environmental barrier coatings
2
2014
... Thermal parameters of commonly investigated EBC candidate materials[3,6,9]Table 1
Material
α / × 10-6·K-1
λ / W·(m·K)-1
SiC
4.5~5
-
Si
3.5~4.5
10~20
Mullite
5~6
-
BSAS (monoclinic)
4~5
-
BSAS (hexagonal)
7~8
-
Yb2SiO5
7~8
0.74~1.15
Er2SiO5
7~8
1.42
Y2SiO5
7~8
1.65
Gd2SiO5
9.9~10.3
1.45
Lu2SiO5
6.7
1.63
Yb2Si2O7
4~6
2.0
Lu2Si2O7
3.8
-
Yb2O3
6.8~8.4
-
YSZ
10.5
2~5
EBC结构体系演化[20,21]
Evolution of structure and material of EBC system: (a) the first generation-YSZ/Mullite, (b) the second generation-BSAS/Mullite/Si, (c) the third generation-REMS/Mullite/Si[20], (d) the third generation-REDS/Si[21]Fig.3
Response of ytterbium disilicate-silicon environmental barrier coatings to thermal cycling in water vapor
2
2016
... Thermal parameters of commonly investigated EBC candidate materials[3,6,9]Table 1
Material
α / × 10-6·K-1
λ / W·(m·K)-1
SiC
4.5~5
-
Si
3.5~4.5
10~20
Mullite
5~6
-
BSAS (monoclinic)
4~5
-
BSAS (hexagonal)
7~8
-
Yb2SiO5
7~8
0.74~1.15
Er2SiO5
7~8
1.42
Y2SiO5
7~8
1.65
Gd2SiO5
9.9~10.3
1.45
Lu2SiO5
6.7
1.63
Yb2Si2O7
4~6
2.0
Lu2Si2O7
3.8
-
Yb2O3
6.8~8.4
-
YSZ
10.5
2~5
EBC结构体系演化[20,21]
Evolution of structure and material of EBC system: (a) the first generation-YSZ/Mullite, (b) the second generation-BSAS/Mullite/Si, (c) the third generation-REMS/Mullite/Si[20], (d) the third generation-REDS/Si[21]Fig.3
Microstructure change of SiO2-TGO corresponding to its thickening and cracking after 200 h (a), 500 h (b) and 1000 h (c) thermal cycling at 1300 oC in air[39]Fig.9
Microstructure change of SiO2-TGO corresponding to its thickening and cracking after 200 h (a), 500 h (b) and 1000 h (c) thermal cycling at 1300 oC in air[39]Fig.9
因此,抑制SiO2-TGO相变、缓解相变应力致裂,有助于延长EBC在氧化环境的服役寿命. ...
... [39]Fig.9
因此,抑制SiO2-TGO相变、缓解相变应力致裂,有助于延长EBC在氧化环境的服役寿命. ...
Mechanisms of ytterbium monosilicate/mullite/silicon coating failure during thermal cycling in water vapor
Influences of temperature and airflow rate on the morphology of EBC during water vapor corrosion: (a) low tem-perature and low flow velocity[3], (b) low temperature and high flow velocity[42], (c) high temperature and high flow velocity[43]Fig.11
Influences of temperature and airflow rate on the morphology of EBC during water vapor corrosion: (a) low tem-perature and low flow velocity[3], (b) low temperature and high flow velocity[42], (c) high temperature and high flow velocity[43]Fig.11
Influences of temperature and airflow rate on the morphology of EBC during water vapor corrosion: (a) low tem-perature and low flow velocity[3], (b) low temperature and high flow velocity[42], (c) high temperature and high flow velocity[43]Fig.11
... [45,46]High-temperature CMAS corrosion of EBC: (a) effect of temperature on CaO-AlO1.5-SiO2 equilibrium phase diagram[45],(b) microstructure of YbDS after CMAS corrosion at 1500 oC[46]Fig.13
Environmental-barrier coating ceramics for resistance against attack by molten calcia-magnesia-aluminosilicate (CMAS) glass: part II, β-Yb2Si2O7 and β-Sc2Si2O7
... ,46]High-temperature CMAS corrosion of EBC: (a) effect of temperature on CaO-AlO1.5-SiO2 equilibrium phase diagram[45],(b) microstructure of YbDS after CMAS corrosion at 1500 oC[46]Fig.13
Mass spectrometric measurements of the silica activity in the Yb2O3-SiO2 system and implications to assess the degradation of silicate-based coatings in combustion environments
Acid-base reactions of transition metal oxides in the solid state
0
1997
Environmental-barrier coating ceramics for resistance against attack by molten calcia-magnesia-aluminosilicate (CMAS) glass: part I, YAlO3 and γ-Y2Si2O7
... [52]Morphological characteristics of plasma sprayed Yb2Si2O7 deposits under the pre-heating conditions of room temper-ature (a), 300 oC (b) and 600 oC (c)[52]Fig.16
... [52]Morphological characteristics of plasma sprayed Yb2Si2O7 deposits under the pre-heating conditions of room temper-ature (a), 300 oC (b) and 600 oC (c)[52]Fig.16
... [54]Microstructures of EBC without (a1, a2) and with (b1, b2) aluminum infiltration densification after water vapor corrosion[54]Fig.174.2.2 超高温面层结构设计