Advances in numerical modeling of environmental barrier coating systems for gas turbines

Advanced gas turbines pursue efficiency improvement by employing high-temperature lightweight materials. Ceramic matrix composites are the most promising candidates for hot section components. However, they generally require environmental protections for long-term stability in harsh working conditions subjected to water vapor volatilization, accelerated oxidation, severe corrosion and erosion. To this end, environmental barrier coating systems (EBCs) have substantially progressed as an integral design element in the past two decades. As a versatile numerical method, finite element analysis has been widely applied in the investigations of EBCs from stress modeling to service life prediction. This article reviews recent advances in the numerical studies of EBCs for gas turbines, covering fundamental analyses of stress state and heat transfer, elucidations of fracture and damage mechanisms, as well as applications in service conditions. Current numerical solutions, understandings and potential directions are discussed respectively, with general remarks on technical development in the end.