Challenge

Turbine blades for energy generation need to be coated to protect the underlying coat from overheating, chemical damage and general wear.

A nickel based alloy, with an outer ceramic coating, the blades are extremely expensive to refurbish if the outer casings degrade.

Ensuring that the blades’ chemical compositions meet quality assurance standards is crucial.

Solution

Using high resolution, accurate SEM and fibre optic imaging techniques, the coatings can be visually inspected for signs of damage.

The investigation into the chemical composition is then conducted using x-ray diffraction or EDX, to quantify and map the chemical changes in the layers (particularly for layers of alumina) and to be certain of exactly what the proportion is of each chemical in the coating, to the nearest tenth of a percent.

Impact

Maintaining the blades to specification has saved hundreds of thousands of pounds. and the quantitative proof is key for maintaining and increasing the lifespan of the blades.