Adherent and Reliable Alumina Coating Development--Surmet Corporation, 33 B Street, Burlington, MA 01803-3406; (781) 272-3250
Dr. Suri A. Sastri, Principal Investigator
Dr. Suri A. Sastri, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-98ER82681
Amount: $75,000

Many advanced energy and processing systems must operate at high temperatures for optimum efficiency and energy savings. In order to be effective, there is a need for high temperature structural materials that can resist corrosion and oxidation. The development of suitable coatings is needed. Since thermomechanical and thermodynamic reliability are the required qualities of protective oxide coatings, an innovative barrier structure will be developed to prevent ionic diffusion. It is expected that if applied directly on super alloy surfaces, this structure will help preserve the metal from oxidation for prolonged periods. In Phase I, specially designed coatings will be applied on structural super alloy coupons and their oxidation resistance will be evaluated. Thermal cycling tests will also be conducted. The thickness of the coating structure and the processing parameters of the coating method will be optimized.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: A strongly adherent coating that is hard, ductile, wear, corrosion and oxidation resistant, with a relatively smooth surface structure, would be considered an enabling technology with huge commercial potential for many high performance energy and non energy-related applications. An alumina coating structure that is strongly adherent on bio compatible substrates would also have application in the dentistry and orthopedic implant industries. Alloys of titanium with an adherent and protective alumina coating should find many profitable applications in biomedical and chemical industries.