Improve Gas Turbine Resilience through Next Generation Coating Application

The proposed technology will meet the Navy need for a chemically and mechanically robust coating system that can protect engine compressor components, such as mating compressor stages, cases, and vane tracks. Conventionally, galvanic corrosion is mitigated using paints that degrade when exposed to engine operating temperatures. The technical challenge will be assessed, to identify methods to assess the solution viability, demonstrate the feasibility of a new metallic coating system for its resilience to corrosion in simulated naval aero engine environments, and provide a risk, cost and schedule assessment of the practical implementation of the solution. Note: A potential coating system has been shown to improve corrosion resilience in molten salt environments up to 750°C and wear resistance typical for Inconel alloys. The proposed program will demonstrate direct coating application onto all targeted substrates (steel, Ti, and Ni alloys), coating thickness and compositional uniformity control, operational performance (corrosion and wear resistance), and coating application onto targeted shapes. Meeting expectations through these demonstrations will enable rapid TRL/MRL enhancement leading to possible field trials by the end of Phase II or early Phase III. The resulting product improve compressor system resilience that will enable enhanced mission readiness and reduced equipment downtime.