Modelling and experimental study of impedance spectra of electron beam physical vapour deposition thermal barrier coatings

A 2-dimensional finite element model has been developed to calculate the impedance spectra of electron beam physical vapour deposition (EB-PVD) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). The model has been used to examine the effect of thermally grown oxide (TGO) growth and the TGO conductivity change on impedance spectra of TBCs. According to modelling, different spectra were generated due to the TGO growth and TGO conductivity change. Impedance measurements have been carried out on both as-deposited and thermally treated TBCs where the thermal treatments lead to the TGO growth. In addition, the thermal treatment of TBCs at different temperatures produced TGO with different compositions, probably leading to different electrical conductivities of TGO. Measured impedance spectra of TBCs with different TGO thicknesses and TGO compositions agree with modelled spectra of TBCs with different TGO thicknesses and conductivities.