3D characterization of porosity in an air plasma‐sprayed thermal barrier coating and its effect on thermal conductivity

Air plasma spray ( APS ) thermal barrier coatings ( TBC s) contain pores, cracks and splat interfaces that are preferentially aligned normal to the heat flux direction. These significantly reduce (by as much as 50%) the thermal conductivity over a fully dense coating. Here the microstructures of APS thermal barrier coatings ( TBC s) have been characterized in 3D using X‐ray microcomputed tomography (μ‐ CT ). Pores larger than 2.8 μm 3 are...