This work compares thin layers (films) and monoliths prepared from alumina sols with respect to their microstructure, thermal evolution, porosity and specific surface area. After heat treatment at similar temperatures, films and monoliths showed the same qualitative changes in porosity and specific surface area. However, some marked quantitative differences were detected. Film fragments had a lower open porosity, a lower specific surface area and a narrower pore size distribution. Furthermore, the thermal evolution showed a markedly different burnout of organic components between films and monoliths. The observed differences between films and monolith can be explained by the ageing history of the sols during sample preparation.
Up to ~ 3 µm thick alumina coatings on corundum ceramic, sodalimesilica glass and Inconel718 were produced from mixtures of boehmite sols and corundum suspensions.
Transmission electron micrographs in combination with electron diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy served to identify crystallographic phases and to characterize the microstructure of the coatings. Using corundum ceramic as substrate the initially deposited boehmite transforms via transition aluminas to corundum while heating to 1200 °C. In the cases of glass and Inconel718 thermal treatments up to 520 °C and 1100 °C, respectively, cause diffusion of ions from the substrates into the coatings. Thus additional oxide phases were formed.
All coatings are free of cracks or delaminations and do not show any directed crystal growth.
Alumosols in combination with well dispersed corundum were successfully used to form up to 2.5 ìm thick coatings on the Ni-base alloy SC16. These coatings withstood heat treatments at 700 °C in a water vapour containing atmosphere. The heat treatment caused formation of delta-alumina in the coating and diffusion of chromium and titanium into the coating.
The need for a more efficient coal power plant generation (e.g. oxyfuel technology) results in modified process parameters and enhanced corrosion. To reach the necessary service life of high temperature parts protective coatings may be a sufficient technical solution. A modified Yoldas sol (Al2O3 based) was used to coat X20CrMoV12-1 by spin coating. After appropriate heat treatments transition alumina coatings being about 400 nm thick were obtained. Oxidation studies were carried out in laboratory air at temperatures up to 650 °C for up to 500 h exposure time. In case of the uncoated sample a rough oxide layer formed on the surface and a remarkable weight gain (2.62 mg/cm²) were detected. The sol–gel alumina layer (mainly δ-Al2O3) demonstrated a high protection, i.e. a very low weight gain (0.05 mg/cm²). Diffusion of alloying elements into the coating was observed. No indication of spallation of the coating occurred. Local defects (2 µm–30 µm) in the coating led to the formation of iron-oxide islands.