High Temperature Materials Design Challenges for More Sustainable Transportation and Energy Conversion Applications

Structural materials are pushed to their extremes in the hottest sections of jet engines, rockets, and in the turbines that produce much of our electricity. Increasing the durability and temperature capability of these materials would enable higher thermodynamic efficiency and reduced emissions. This talk will explore some of the most important factors limiting materials performance and discuss ongoing research efforts to overcome these challenges. We will focus on the challenges associated with glassy silicate deposits (CMAS) that form on hot section components when dusts, sands, ashes, and other particulates are ingested with intake air. These deposits accelerate chemical corrosion of metal alloys and ceramics, and alter the thermomechanical properties leading to increased material failure rates. Ongoing research seeks to model these degradation processes and develop materials with tunable reactivity tailored for specific environments. We will also discuss the design of ceramic thermal and environmental barrier coatings (T/EBCs) that can be used to protect structural components, and recent advances in the design of alloys, ceramic composites, and oxidation-resistant coatings with higher temperature capability. We will conclude by discussing future needs and opportunities for materials science research to advance societal goals for cleaner energy and transportation. 

Séminaire organisé par l'équipe "Surface et Interface, Réactivité Chimique des Matériaux"