Date of Award

3-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering

Department

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

First Advisor

James L. Rutledge, PhD

Abstract

Silicon carbide ceramic matrix composites, a promising new potential upgrade over the conventional metals currently used for jet engine turbine blades, have a propensity to oxidize in a combustion environment. Engine manufacturers often apply environmental barrier coatings to prevent the composites from oxidizing. What is unclear, however, is how environmental barrier coatings effect underlying composite temperatures. This research examined the coatings’ effects by first characterizing the influence of environmental barrier coatings on the underlying temperature of a protected ceramic, then evaluating the significance of lateral conduction for cooling a coated ceramic, and finally comparing cooling results for coated and uncoated ceramics at low and high temperature conditions. The results showed that the coatings have little to no influence on overall cooling effectiveness, that lateral conduction in both the ceramic and the coating was an important factor in the overall cooling effectiveness, and that conventional scaling techniques must be modified to more accurately scale low temperature film cooling experiments for ceramics up to high temperature conditions.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENY-MS-24-M-195

Comments

A 12-month embargo was observed for posting this work on AFIT Scholar.

Distribution Statement A, Approved for Public Release. PA case number on file.

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