ZrO(2) and Y(2)O(3)-stablized ZrO(2) coatings deposited using an arc ion plating technique

ZrO(2) and Y(2)O(3)-stablixed ZrO(2) (YSZ) coatings were deposited on NiCoCrAlY coated superalloys using an arc ion plating system. The crystalline structure, chemical composition, and morphology of the coatings were systematically investigated using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, as well as scanning electron microscopy. The thermal stability of YSZ coatings were investigated by oxidation and thermal shock tests. The results showed that near-stoichiometric ZrO(2) coatings can be obtained at a relatively large range of O(2) flow rates (134-400 sccm), with the main phase of monolithic zirconia being identified. YSZ coatings exhibited excellent thermal stability in the oxidation and thermal shock tests. Before and after thermal tests, only the tetragonal zirconia (t-ZrO(2)) phase was identified in the YSZ coatings.