Appeal 2007-0687
Application 10/797,422
1 The Appellants’ invention is directed to a method for preparing a
2 thermal barrier coating that provides at least partial protection against
3 environmental contaminants. The thermal barrier coating includes a porous
4 outer layer which is treated with a liquid composition comprising an alumina
5 precursor. The alumina precursor infiltrates the porous outer layer of the
6 thermal barrier coating and is converted in situ to alumina.
7 Claim 17 is representative of the subject matter on appeal and reads as
8 follows:
9 A method for preparing a thermal barrier coating
10 protected by infiltrated alumina that overlies a metal substrate,
11 the method comprising the steps of:
12 1. providing a thermal barrier coating overlaying a
13 metal substrate, the thermal barrier coating
14 including a porous outer layer having an exposed
15 surface and comprising a non-alumina ceramic
16 thermal barrier coating material in an amount up to
17 100%;
18 2. treating the porous outer layer with a liquid
19 composition comprising an alumina precursor to
20 infiltrate the porous outer layer with the alumina
21 precursor in an amount sufficient to provide, when
22 converted to alumina, at least partial protection of
23 the thermal barrier coating against environmental
24 contaminants that become deposited on the
25 exposed surface; and
26 3. converting in situ the infiltrated alumina precursor
27 within the porous outer layer to alumina.
28
29 The Examiner relies on the following evidence in rejecting the claims
30 on appeal:
31 Spence et al. (“Spence”) US 5,324,544 Jun. 28, 1994
32 Hasz et al. (“Hasz”) US 5,871,820 Feb. 16, 1999
2
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