Solution precursor thermal spraying of gadolinium zirconate for thermal barrier coating

Abstract Gadolinium zirconate (GZ) is an attractive material for thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). However, a single layer GZ coating has poor thermal cycling life compared to YSZ. In this study, Solution Precursor (SSP) High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (SSP-HVOF) thermal spray was used to produce a double layer GZ/YSZ TBC and compared the thermal cycling performance with the single layer YSZ TBC. The temperature behaviour of the solution precursor GZ was studied, and single splat tests were carried out to obtain an optimised spray parameter. In thermal cycling tests, the single-layer YSZ reached 20% failure at 85 ± 5 cycles, whereas the double-layer GZ/YSZ was at 70 ± 15 cycles. The single-layer failed at the topcoat/TGO interface, whereas the double-layer failed at GZ/YSZ interface and topcoat/TGO interface. Moreover, Gd diffusion occurred near the GZ/YSZ interface, resulting in porosities in the GZ layer.