High-Temperature thermochemical interactions of molten silicates with Yb2Si2O7 and Y2Si2O7 environmental barrier coating materials

The thermochemical behavior of EBC candidate materials yttrium disilicate (Y2Si2O7) and ytterbium disilicate (Yb2Si2O7) was evaluated with three calcium-magnesium-aluminosilicate (CMAS) glasses possessing CaO:SiO2 ratios relevant to gas turbine systems. Pellet mixtures of 50 mol% EBC powder to 50 mol% CMAS glass powder were heat treated at 1200 degrees C, 1300 degrees C, and 1400 degrees C. The products of these interactions were evaluated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Above glass melting temperatures, exposure of the disilicates primarily resulted in dissolution into the molten glass followed by precipitation of a Ca2RE8(SiO4)(6)O-2 (RE = Yb3+, Y3+) apatite-type silicate and/or rare earth disilicate. In glasses with high CaO concentrations, apatite readily forms while the disilicate material is consumed by the reaction. As CaO content decreases, the disilicate phase becomes the main reaction product. Overall, reactions with yttrium disilicate favored more apatite crystallization than ytterbium disilicate. The viability of using these disilicates in various operating environments is discussed.