Invited speaker

Prof. Jie Cai

Jiangsu University

18796000312 （caijie@ujs.edu.cn）

Title: Investigation of Thermal Barrier Coatings Modified via Pulsed Electron Beam Technology

Profile:

Prof. Jie Cai‌ is a Ph.D. supervisor at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu University, and serves as Deputy Director of Science and Technology Department. Her research expertise lies in high-energy beam surface strengthening, laser deposition manufacturing, and high-temperature material coatings. Prof. Cai has been recognized as a Third-Level Talent in Jiangsu Province’s prestigious "333 Project" and is an invited expert with the Surface Modification Group of the Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society. She was also a visiting scholar at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, USA. In addition to her research, Prof. Cai contributes to academic publishing as a Youth Editorial Board Member for both the Journal of Materials Engineering and the Journal of Aeronautical Materials. She has led more than ten national and provincial research projects, including those funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the National Key R&D Program. Her scholarly achievements include the publication of over 40 SCI-indexed papers as first or corresponding author, 10 granted Chinese invention patents, and numerous honors, such as the Second Prize of the National Teaching Achievement Award and the Jiangsu Provincial Natural Science Hundred Excellent Academic Papers Award.

Abstract:

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are a critical thermal protection technology for the advanced of modern aero-engine. However, their long-term performance is often compromised by poor service stability under high-temperature and complex environments, commonly manifesting as interfacial cracking and premature spallation. Controlling the structural stability of TBC interfaces and suppressing uncontrolled oxide growth remain unresolved challenges that critically affect coating durability. This study proposes a novel approach utilizing pulsed electron beam technology to synergistically regulate the morphology and microstructure of the metal/ceramic interface in TBCs, aiming to achieve steady thermally grown oxide (TGO) growth and prolong coating lifespan. Specifically, irradiation process parameters were optimized to polish and purify the bond coat surface, enabling targeted modulation of its microstructure and compositional distribution at the microscale for precise control over TGO growth behavior. Subsequently, an electron beam physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD) technique was employed to deposit ceramic layers on the modified bond coat. By investigating the influence of bond coat microstructural evolution on the conformal growth of ceramic layers, interfacial adhesion, and thermal cycling lifetime, this work establishes the structure-property relationship of TBCs under pulsed electron beam treatment and unveils the underlying mechanisms of TGO growth regulation and lifespan extension. The proposed method ultimately achieves controllable fabrication of TBCs with enhanced interfacial reliability, oxidation resistance, and longevity. The large beam diameter of pulsed electron beams, coupled with multi-pass overlapping irradiation, demonstrates compatibility with complex blade geometries, highlighting its potential for improving the service life of thermal protection coatings in engineering applications.