Evaluation of oxidation and thermal insulation capability of nanostructured La2(Zr0·7Ce0.3)2O7/YSZ functionally graded coatings

Abstract In the present work, nanostructured La2(Zr0·7Ce0.3)2O7/YSZ functionally graded coatings were prepared by applying the atmospheric plasma spraying process. The La2(Zr0·7Ce0.3)2O7 compound was synthesized via the calcination process to get a nanostructured precursor precipitate at 600 °C. Two types of nanostructured functionally graded coatings were applied on the Hastelloy X substrates coated with NiCrAlY and 8YSZ. The agglomerates of La2(Zr0·7Ce0.3)2O7 were then used to apply the type I coating. Type II coating was then applied by the plasma spraying of the heat-treated agglomerates of La2(Zr0·7Ce0.3)2O7. The results of the phase and microstructural analysis showed that a nano-composite microstructure comprising the main phases of lanthanum zirconate with the partial solubility of cerium cation (LZ) and the solid solution of cerium lanthanum zirconate (LC) was formed in both types of coatings. Type II coating was relatively denser; so, it could be considered as a dense nanostructured coating. The results of the oxidation tests also showed that only the type II coating had higher oxidation resistance, as compared to that of the conventional YSZ coating. Parabolic oxidation rate constant of this coating was equal to 0.114 μm2/h. On the other hand, the oxidation rate constant for the type I coating and conventional YSZ coating was measured to be 0.141 μm2/h and 0.147 μm2/h, respectively. In addition, the results of the thermal insulation capability test indicated that the thermal barrier capability of the type I coating was 59% higher than that of the conventional YSZ coating. However, under similar conditions, this percentage was 29% for the type II coating.