Rare earth silicate environmental barrier coatings for SiC/SiC composites and Si3N4 ceramics

Rare earth silicates have been investigated to evaluate their potential as an advanced environmental barrier coating (EBC) having higher temperature capability than current EBCs. Volatility data in high steam environments indicate that rare earth monosilicates (RE2SiO5; RE: rare earth element) have lower volatility than the current barium strontium aluminum silicate (BSAS) EBC top coat in combustion environments. Rare earth silicates also exhibit superior chemical compatibility compared to BSAS. The superior chemical compatibility and low volatility are key attributes to achieve higher temperature capability. The chemical compatibility is especially critical for EBCs on Si3N4 because of the high chemical reactivity of some of the oxide additives in Si3N4. In simulated combustion environments, EBCs with a rare earth monosilicate top coat exhibit superior temperature capability and durability compared to the current state-of-the art EBCs with a BSAS top coat.