Stress analysis of ceramic thermal barrier coatings using THz instrumentation.

"This is a PhD research project in Mechanical Engineering.
Ceramic thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are increasingly use in high-temperature applications in the aerospace, automotive and energy sectors. The aim of this project is to measure sub-surface stress distributions in TBCs. These stress measurements will be used to improve the performance of the ceramic coatings, through the development of better and more robust manufacturing methods and numerical models that permit the prediction of imminent coating failure. We will use state-of-the-art GHz and THz imaging and spectroscopy equipment to measure the stress distributions and compare them to the results from destructive measurements. Techniques for detecting coating de-bonds and defects will also be developed and compared to numerical models predicting coating performance. The PhD will involve close collaboration with our partners at Rolls-Royce, Renishaw and Cranfield University to understand how stresses develop during TBC manufacture and degrade the TBCs in service."