Innovative deposition techniques that leverage the unique characteristics of yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) are enabling realization of this material’s performance advantages as a thermal-barrier coating at ultrahigh temperatures.

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) has long been the state-of-the-art thermal-barrier coating (TBC) material for gas turbine-engine applications. But as turbine inlet gas temperatures are pushed to new highs, YSZ is rapidly approaching its intrinsic limits. Despite outstanding properties that have kept this material at the forefront of gas-turbine technology for more than three decades, YSZ is only stable up to 1200°C (2192°F) – limiting maximum turbine operating temperatures. Advanced TBC materials are needed to support the higher firing temperatures of next-generation gas turbines.