Software Tool to Design Thermal Barrier Coatings

The goal of this SBIR effort is the development of a software tool to aid in the design of thermal barrier coating systems. This tool is needed to spur the continued development and implementation of TBC's in turbine engine applications; TBC's are required in order to improve engine efficiency. In this Phase I effort, the functionality of this design software will be demonstrated by development of a material property database, an automated model set-up module, 2D FEA, and the definition of a preliminary set of design rules. Presently, the method of TBC design is based on physical experiments which are time consuming and expensive. Furthermore, the interpretation of experimental data is difficult due to the complexity of the variables and their interactions in determining TBC performance and life. In Phase I, 2D FEA will be performed to investigate variable complexities in order to define specific design rules. The use of FEA as an automated experimental method will speed TBC development by providing a means of separating complex variable interactions. The definition of specific design rules will lead to a directed design methodology that will enable the development of spall resistant, high performance TBC's.