Characterization of Thermal Barrier Coatings Using an Active Thermography Approach

The aim of this paper is to define and set up an experimental procedure, based on active thermography, for the characterization of coatings for industrial applications. This procedure is intended to be a fast and reliable method, alternative to the consolidated one described in International Standards. In more detail, a classical active thermographic set up, and not a dedicated apparatus, was used for that aim, and data processing techniques referred to the analytical approach described in Standards. The active thermography procedure provided the measurement of the surface temperature of specimens undergoing a thermal excitation, applied by means of a laser pulse (Pulsed Technique). Temperature data processing, according to and adapting the Standard procedures, allowed to obtain thermal conductivity and diffusivity information. In particular, two coating processes (Atmospheric and Suspension Plasma Spray) applied to the same base material, Inconel 601, and the same coating material were investigated. These results were compared in terms of thermal properties variation with respect to base and coated materials, and in terms of different coating processes (APS and SPS). Obtained results were also compared to those available in literature.