Oxidation-induced damage of an uncoated and coated nickel-based superalloy under simulated gas environment

Turbine blades and vans operated in an aggressive gas environment usually suffer from combined oxidation and cycle loading effects. The surface oxide layer will result in premature failure and lead to a significant reduction in the service lifetime. The effects of prior oxidation-induced damage under a simulated combustion-gas environment on the fatigue lifetime of the directionally solidified (DS) nickel-based superalloy DZ125 with and without an oxidation-resistant coating were presented. The fatigue lifetime of uncoated samples is adversely affected by prior oxidation exposure. The deterioration of fatigue lifetime in uncoated samples is associated with surface microstructural degradation, which occurs during prior exposure. However, the presence of MCrAlY coating is beneficial for the sample's lifetime under high stress. Further scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis demonstrates that the coating does not contribute to the initiation mode of fatigue cracks.