Enhancing Thermal Properties of Steam Turbine Blades by Coating with Nanomaterials

Abstract

Heat resistant coatings are considered for the external surface Low-Pressure Steam Turbines (LPST). 410 stainless steel covered with nano heat resistant coatings consists of a heat resistant connecting layer enhanced by nanoparticles. A commercial paint was modified by using 20%wt of (titanium dioxide (TiO2) - aluminum oxide (Al2O3)) with different concentrations range (25,50,75wt% of TiO2) layers. These nano-coatings paints were airbrushed onto the surface of specimens of steam turbine blades. The test rig and experimental apparatus have been fabricated and collected to accomplish the thermal tests. The samples were subjected to heat resistance and a temperature test approximately similar to the steam turbine's operation condition temperature. The test results are used to choose the nano-coating layer with a concentration that ensures a composition's highest protective properties. The test sample with concentration (paint-(75% Al2O3+25% TiO2)) showed the highest thermal properties compares with the other cases.