STTR Phase I: Optical NDI of Thermal Barrier Coatings

小型企业技术转移研究(STTR)第一阶段项目将展示一种热障涂层(TBC)的光学无损检测(NDI)方法，该方法结合了傅立叶域光学相干层析成像(FD-OCT)和光致发光压电谱(PLPS)。热障涂层广泛应用于飞机发动机中，以保护金属部件免受高温的影响，从而提高耐久性和发动机效率。涂层剥落可能会导致部件过早失效；因此，需要NDI技术来检测早期损坏并评估TBC的剩余寿命。主要创新包括将FD-OCT与超连续光源技术相结合以提高地下成像质量，以及将FD-OCT与PLPS协同结合以提供更可靠的TBC剩余寿命评估。该项目的成功完成将带来一种新颖的NDI技术，这将使飞机发动机和工业燃气轮机的TBC涂层部件的使用寿命最大化，从而显著节省成本。对其它陶瓷涂层和各种复合材料的无损检测也有一定的参考价值。计划进入的市场包括涡轮机制造和维护设施、工业研究实验室和政府。这项技术将对材料研究、涡轮发动机和动力行业产生影响。

The Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Phase I project will demonstrate an optical non-destructive inspection (NDI) method for thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), based on a combination of Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) and photo-stimulated luminescence piezo-spectroscopy (PLPS). TBCs are widely used in aircraft engines to protect metal components from high operating temperatures in order to improve the durability and engine efficiency. Coating spallation can lead to premature component failure; therefore, there is a need for NDI technologies to detect early damage and assess the TBC remaining life. Key innovations include coupling FD-OCT to super-continuum light source technology to enhance the subsurface imaging quality and synergistic combination of FD-OCT and PLPS to provide a more robust TBC remaining life assessment. Successful completion of this program will result in a novel NDI technology, which will result in maximizing the use life of TBC-coated components of aircraft engines and industrial gas turbines, leading to significant cost savings. It will also be useful for NDI of other ceramic coatings and a variety of composites. The intended markets include turbine manufacturing and maintenance facilities, industrial research laboratories and government. This technology will have impact on material research, and the turbine engine and power industries.