Chromalloy Announces New Thermal Barrier Coating to Enhance Aircraft Engine Efficiency

ORANGEBURG, N.Y., Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Chromalloy announced today that its new thermal barrier coating enhances the performance of gas turbine engines.

"Chromalloy's new thermal barrier coating – the RT-35 Low K coating – provides lower thermal conductivity, which allows higher engine temperatures," said Dr. Peter Howard, Vice President, Technology and Quality Assurance.

The RT-35 Low K coating was patented by Chromalloy in 2006 and certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2010 for use on the PW4000 second stage high pressure turbine blade after a series of tests confirming its low thermal conductivity, high thermal cycle durability and other attributes.

The coating is currently in use by a commercial airline in Asia.

The RT-35 Low K coating provides a layer of insulation to the base metal component and underlying bond coating surface of a turbine blade from the extreme heat of the combustion gases during engine during operation.  

"The coating provides 50-percent lower thermal conductivity, allowing engines to perform at higher temperatures," Howard said.  "Engines produce greater thrust when operating at higher temperature – and they can operate on the same amount of fuel as powerplants that operate at lower temperatures.

"Chromalloy's RT-35 Low K coating is a critical driver for the engine to deliver greater fuel efficiency to the operator," he said.

In addition, the RT-35 Low K coating increases the oxidation and corrosion resistance of the underlying bond coating as it is cooler and thus extends the life of the engine components – another cost saving for the operator.

Chromalloy has been a pioneer in the development of innovative ceramic coatings for turbine engine "gas path" or hot section components for six decades, Chromalloy developed the industry's first Electron Beam Physical Vapor Deposition (EBPVD) coatings with ceramic materials in the 1980s.  Since that time the company has continued to develop innovative coatings for aerospace, aero-derivative, marine and industrial gas turbine components.

Chromalloy produces a variety of vacuum plasma and diffused precious metal / aluminide coatings for all hot section engine components.  The company is a supplier to aircraft operators for new and repair components, as well as to the leading engine original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

With 52 sales, repair and manufacturing locations in 17 countries, Chromalloy is the world's largest independent supplier of technologically advanced repairs, coatings, and FAA-approved replacement parts for turbine airfoils and other critical engine components for commercial airlines, the military and industrial turbine engine applications.  

The company's engineered components and blades are subject to the same FAA requirements and scrutiny as OEM-produced equipment.  

Chromalloy's replacement parts for aircraft engines are FAA certified to meet or exceed the performance, reliability and durability specifications of original equipment manufacturer parts.  In support of marine and land-based gas turbines, the company employs identical engineering disciplines used to produce its FAA-certified parts.

The company's continued investment in research and development of coatings and repair and manufacturing technology has led to the development of electron beam physical vapor deposition with ceramic materials, vacuum plasma, diffused precious metal / aluminide coatings, and vision-guided interactive laser welding and drilling for most advanced turbine engine components, as well as many other advanced technologies.  More information is at www.chromalloy.com.

Chromalloy has evolved from a gas turbine parts repair business into the leading independent supplier of advanced repairs, FAA approved replacement parts and maintenance, repair and overhaul for gas turbines used in aviation and land-based applications. Chromalloy serves the airline, military, marine and industrial gas turbine segments with a broad range of services at locations in 17 countries around the globe. Chromalloy is authorized by the FAA and EASA and many other NAAs, and is qualified under ISO and NADCAP. Chromalloy is a subsidiary of Sequa Corporation.

Sequa Corporation is a diversified industrial company with operations in the aerospace, metal coatings and automotive industries. Sequa is a Carlyle Group company. For additional information, visit www.sequa.com.

SOURCE Chromalloy