Interfacial fatigue crack propagation in Ni-base superalloy protective coatings

It is important to control the interface strength of coatings and composite materials; a feature that has been noted for many years. However, how can interface strength be evaluated and controlled? In order to explore this aspect, subcritical fatigue crack growth behaviour was investigated along the interface of a CoNiCrAlY coated Ni-Base superalloy. According to the traditional fatigue test methodology, fatigue crack propagation tests were carried out, using double cantilever beam specimens. The resistance to the fatigue crack propagation was successfully evaluated by a fracture mechanics approach. Particular attention was given to the effects of surface finish of the substrate as a coating parameter, the test temperature, and long-term thermal ageing after the coating.