Issued patent
Environmental Barrier Coatings for Ceramic Matrix Composites
An issued NASA patent from the Technology Transfer catalog.
About this technology
Overview
Innovators at NASA's Glenn Research Center have developed two durable environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) for use with ceramic matrix composite (CMC) components. CMCs are lightweight composites used to reduce fuel consumption in advanced gas turbines and other high-temperature, high-stress environments (up to 1482°C). Glenn's breakthrough EBCs are the only coatings that can withstand such temperatures, protecting CMCs from increased wear and corrosion, oxidation, and water vapor recession in extreme environments. In addition, these EBCs can be fabricated with simpler and lower-cost methods than conventional coating processes such as plasma spraying. Glenn's EBCs add reliability and lifespan to CMCs' advantages of lighter weight, higher temperature capability, and greater oxidation resistance. This innovation is poised to facilitate the upcoming CMC revolution, from hot components in next-generation, fuel-efficient jet engines to furnaces to nuclear reactors.