Estimates of Permeability of Water in Rare Earth Silicates Using the Modified Theory of Deal and Grove

The salient elements of the theory of oxide growth under an environmental barrier are reviewed. In addition, the results from steam oxidation tests recently conducted on environmental barrier coated specimens are reported. The oxide thickness between the coating and substrate are reported as a function of time. Also, the results from previously conducted steam oxidation tests are reviewed. An approach to estimate the permeability of water through the various coating systems using the oxide thickness versus time measurements and the theory of oxide growth is demonstrated. Although the steam oxidation tests may have been performed under disparate conditions, the approach allows one to rank the protection efficiency of the various coating systems against substrate oxidation on an equivalent basis.