Advanced Thermal Barrier Coating Materials Navy STTR FY2004 Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2004 Topic No.: N04-T001 Topic Title: Advanced Thermal Barrier Coating Materials Proposal No.: N045-001-0106 Firm: Thor Technologies, Inc. 2415 Princeton Dr. NE Suite B Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107-1731 Contact: Stuart Schwab Phone: (505) 830-6986 Web Site: www.thortech.biz Abstract: Military and commercial gas turbine engines used in aircraft, in ships, and for utility power generation require more durable and more reliable hot-section components to achieve their "design" service life. Less durable parts lead to increases in unscheduled (and costly) outages, inspections, repairs, and major overhauls. For aircraft applications, these inspections, repairs and overhauls result in a significant reduction in operational readiness and have a negative impact on flight safety. Advanced thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) with lower thermal conductivities are needed to improve the performance and durability of hot-section components in gas-fired turbine engines. For this STTR project, Thor Technologies has teamed with Southwest Research Institute to leverage the results of recent and on-going material development programs. Novel chemical precursors will be combined with innovative processing methods to produce low thermal conductivity thermal barrier coatings. Benefits: Ceramic coatings have the potential to be applied to a wide range of military and civilian applications, ranging from energy generation and chemical refinement to transportation and waste incineration-if the cost to produce these materials can be reduced to acceptable levels Return