Appeal 2006-2179
Application 10/735,369
I. APPEALED SUBJECT MATTER
The subject matter on appeal is directed to providing a thermal barrier
coating to an article, such as the components of a gas turbine engine. See
Specification at 1-2. The method involves introducing “an effective surface-
stabilization composition that inhibits sintering” of a primary ceramic
coating defined by columnar grains on the components of the gas turbine
engine. Id. The surface-stabilization composition comprises at least one
Group 2 or 3 element of the Periodic Table, and at least one Group 5
element of the Periodic Table, with the Group 5 element being present from
practically near zero (e.g., 100 billion to 3 atomic ratio) to about 75% based
on atomic weight. See, e.g., claims 1, 12, and 20. Details of the appealed
subject matter are recited in representative claims 1, 12 and 20 which are
reproduced below:
1. A method for preparing a protected article, comprising the
steps of providing the article;
depositing a bond coat onto an exposed surface of the
article; and
producing a thermal barrier coating on an exposed surface
of the bond coat, wherein the step of producing the thermal
barrier coating includes the steps of
depositing a primary ceramic coating onto an exposed
surface of the bond coat, and
depositing a stabilization composition onto an exposed
surface of the primary ceramic coating, wherein the
stabilization composition comprises a first element selected
from Group 2 or Group 3 of the periodic table, and a second
element selected from Group 5 of the periodic table, and
wherein the atomic ratio of the amount of the first element to
the amount of the second element is at least 1:3.
2
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