Chromalloy produced new thermal barrier coating for airlines

The said thermal barrier coating enhances the performance of gas turbine engines.

According to Chromalloy, the RT-35 Low K coating was patented by Chromalloy in 2006 and certified by the Federal Aviation Administration in 2010 for use on the PW4000 second stage high pressure turbine blade after a series of tests confirming its low thermal conductivity, high thermal cycle durability and other attributes.

The coating is currently in use by a commercial airline in Asia.

“Chromalloy’s new thermal barrier coating – the RT-35 Low K coating – provides lower thermal conductivity, which allows higher engine temperatures,” said Dr. Peter Howard, Vice President, Technology and Quality Assurance.

The RT-35 Low K coating provides a layer of insulation to the base metal component and underlying bond coating surface of a turbine blade from the extreme heat of the combustion gases during engine during operation.

“The coating provides 50-percent lower thermal conductivity, allowing engines to perform at higher temperatures,” Howard said. “Engines produce greater thrust when operating at higher temperature – and they can operate on the same amount of fuel as powerplants that operate at lower temperatures.

“Chromalloy’s RT-35 Low K coating is a critical driver for the engine to deliver greater fuel efficiency to the operator,” he said.

In addition, the RT-35 Low K coating increases the oxidation and corrosion resistance of the underlying bond coating as it is cooler and thus extends the life of the engine components – another cost saving for the operator.