Gas turbine engines, like those powering passenger planes, operate under extreme conditions during everyday use. These engines regularly reach temperatures well over 800°C (1,470°F), which creates challenges for long-term durability and efficiency.
Andre Mayer, a Concordia postdoc from the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, searched for solutions to this challenge through recently published research in the journal Communications Materials.
Working through Concordia's Thermal Spray and Surface Engineering Research Center under the supervision of Pantcho Stoyanov during his Ph.D., Mayer explored a new type of coating that helps engines perform better under intense heat. The research was also supported by Fadhel Ettouil, who provided technical assistance with specialized equipment at the Center.
Rethinking the role of oxides
As Mayer explains, he began by studying how oxides like rust form on engine parts—a process typically viewed as harmful.
