Mechanical properties of EB-PVD-thermal barrier coatings by nanoindentation

Abstract In the present work EB-PVD zirconia thermal barrier coatings were examined by nanoindentation. Because of the microstructure of EB-PVD-coatings, the mechanical properties in the vertical and the horizontal direction are completely different. Therefore the indents were performed on cross-sections and on the coatings’ surface itself. Because of the expected different behavior at the grain boundaries and the grains, the measurement locations were randomly chosen. The measured property was the Young’s modulus. For a better interpretation, the measurement results were described by the method of Weibull distribution. The measured values showed a significant dependency with the substrate temperature and a low dependency with oxygen partial pressure during the deposition process. Non-stoichiometric phases within the zirconia showed a complete different mechanical behavior.