Effect of Single Layer Thin Film Thermal Barrier Coatings on Mechanical, Thermal and Tribological Characterization of Cast Iron (GJL 300)

Thermal Barrier Coating (TBCs) is one of the most promising technologies for reducing heat dissipation through the combustion chamber in Internal Combustion (IC) Engines. In this paper, Gadolinium Zirconate (GZ) was chosen as a coating material and prepared using a solid-state synthesis process. Cast iron (GJL 300) was selected as the substrate, which is predominantly used as the cylinder head material, and GZ was deposited using Electron Beam Physical Vapor Deposition technique (EB-PVD). The mechanical, thermal, and tribological properties were evaluated as per the ASTM standards. Improved hardness and wear resistance is noted on coated substrates. The thermal conductivity and Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) of the coated substrates decreased by 3.43% and 5.03% respectively when compared with uncoated substrates. Hence, it is confirmed that thin-film TBCs has potential to provide the thermal and wear protection inside the combustion chamber of IC engines.