Computational investigation of foreign object damage sustained by environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) and SiC/SiC ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs). Issue 2 (10th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grujicic, Mica; Snipes, Jennifer; Yavari, Ramin; Ramaswami, S.; Galgalikar, Rohan
• Is Part Of: Multidiscipline modeling in materials and structures. Volume 11:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 238
• Page End: 272
• Publication Date: 2015-08-10
• Subjects: Materials -- Mathematical models -- Periodicals; Engineering -- Mathematical models -- Periodicals; 620.11015118
• DOI: 10.1108/MMMS-07-2014-0039
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1573-6105

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Purpose</title> <p> – The purpose of this paper is to prevent their recession caused through chemical reaction with high-temperature water vapor, SiC-fiber/SiC-matrix ceramic-matrix composite (CMC) components used in gas-turbine engines are commonly protected with so-called environmental barrier coatings (EBCs). EBCs typically consist of three layers: a top thermal and mechanical protection coat; an intermediate layer which provides environmental protection; and a bond coat which assures good EBC/CMC adhesion. The materials used in different layers and their thicknesses are selected in such a way that the coating performance is optimized for the gas-turbine component in question. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Design/methodology/approach</title> <p> – Gas-turbine engines, while in service, often tend to ingest various foreign objects of different sizes. Such objects, entrained within the gas flow, can be accelerated to velocities as high as 600 m/s and, on impact, cause substantial damage to the EBC and SiC/SiC CMC substrate, compromising the component integrity and service life. The problem of foreign object damage (FOD) is addressed in the present work computationally using a series of transient non-linear dynamics finite-element analyses. Before such analyses could be conducted, a major effort had to be invested toward developing, parameterizing and validating the constitutive models for all attendant materials. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Findings</title> <p> – The computed FOD results are compared with their experimental counterparts in order to validate the numerical methodology employed. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Originality/value</title> <p> – To the authors' knowledge, the present work is the first reported study dealing with the computational analysis of the FOD sustained by CMCs protected with EBCs.</p> </sec> </abstract>