Design of a Particle Seeder for High Temperature Coatings Experimentation

Abstract

The use of Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBCs) has become very prevalent in jet engines. These engines ingest atmospheric air which can contain harmful particulate matter such as calcium-magnesium-aluminisilicate (CMAS) particles. CMAS particles compromise the lifespan of these coatings by infiltrating pores and layers within the coating and "shattering" the coating. Because of the detrimental effects of CMAS on TBCs, it is entirely necessary to develop testing methods that allow for these effects to be measured over a span of time. This paper serves to document the design process of a CMAS solid particle seeder to be used for testing of TBCs. Within this paper, the design process, design considerations, and computational testing performed are outlined for this seeder, and future physical testing is outlined.