The parametrisation of the process needs to assure perfect adhesion of the coating layer to the bulk material while minimising excess.
The product line needs to be monitored to assure quality throughout the production cycle.
Solution
Elemental recognition paired with adequate depth analysis can assure the process is kept within the desired limits.
On the other hand, automatised analysis enable our customers to systematically explore the parameter space of their application.
Show-Cases
Thermal Barrier Coatings
Thermal barrier coatings (TBC) are advanced materials systems usually applied to metallic surfaces, such as on gas turbine or aero-engine parts, operating at elevated temperatures, as a form of exhaust heat management.
Virtual chemical cross-section through a TBC-sample of nominally 70μm-thickness.
Virtual chemical cross-section through a TBC-sample of nominally 70μm-thickness.
Elemental topographic mapping of the interface between the coating and the bulk material.
Elemental topographic mapping of the interface between the coating and the bulk material.
These 100 μm to 2 mm coatings serve to insulate components from large and prolonged heat loads by utilizing thermally insulating materials which can sustain an appreciable temperature difference between the load-bearing alloys and the coating surface.
In this project, we have been verifying the advertised coating thickness, the homogeneity as well as structural recognition.
As a follow up, we are working on the porosity analysis and diffusion processes within the coatings.
