Superalloy Protective Coating A superalloy is a metal specially designed for applications requiring a high level of resistance to elevated temperatures,

tensile strength, and resistance to corrosion. These alloys are usually categorized under three possible types: a cobalt base, a nickel base, and a nickel-iron base. Superalloys are often used in chemical conversion plants, industrial turbines, and aerospace turbines. Although they have high resistance properties, some superalloys may need additional protective coatings to maintain performance levels, particularly if they are employed under temperatures near their incipient melting points or under extreme load-bearing conditions. Most superalloy coatings are used to shield components from potentially harmful environmental effects and stresses, with an emphasis on increasing heat tolerance and structural integrity for materials functioning at temperatures up to 1,850 degrees Fahrenheit (F) and higher. A protective coating is a layer of material that blocks or inhibits interaction between a substrate and damaging environmental conditions. This damage can take the form of metal wastage from oxidation and corrosion, or a loss of mechanical properties from high-temperature diffusion of contaminants into the substrate. Most protective coatings are designed to shield the superalloy substrate from these effects.