2024 John F. McMahon Award Lecture
Kang N. Lee NASA Glenn Research Center
Kang N. Lee NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, USA will present the 2024 McMahon Lecture entitled Next Generation Environmental Barrier Coatings for SiC/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites on November 7, 2024 – 11:20am Holmes Auditorium followed by a Luncheon and SMI Announcement in the Knight Club- Powell Campus Center, SMI Symposium and Poster Session in the CREATE Center, and School of Engineering and Stull Observatory Tours
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Biography: Kang N. Lee earned his PhD in Materials Science at University of Minnesota in 1987 and worked at a postdoctoral research associate at University of Pennsylvania until 1990. He joined NASA Glenn Research Center in 1990 and pioneered the research on Environmental Barrier Coatings (EBC) for SiC. He subsequently led the EBC R&D for SiC/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC), which resulted in the first and second generation EBCs in late 1990s – early 2000s. These EBCs laid the foundations for a series of CMC engine tests, culminating in the insertion of the first CMC component in the GE-CFM international LEAP-x engine in 2016. He moved to Rolls-Royce in 2005 to start the EBC program. Under his leadership, Rolls-Royce EBC technology was elevated from 10 years behind other engine companies to a competitive level by the time he left the Company in 2016. Since returning to NASA in 2016, he has led the next generation EBC R&D to improve the EBC life and temperature capability. He has authored 44 US patents, over 80 papers in archival journals, and 4 invited book chapters. Notable awards include 2010 Rolls-Royce Sir Henry Royce Award, 2012 Class of Rolls-Royce Fellow, 2020 NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal, and 2024 Class of American Ceramic Society Fellow.
Abstract: Next Generation Environmental Barrier Coatings for SiC/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites
Environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) have enabled the implementation of SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) in gas turbines by protecting CMCs from corrosive species. The first EBC-coated CMC component entered service in a commercial aero gas turbine in 2016. Many EBC challenges remain for continued success of CMC components in the next generation gas turbines. Major challenges include EBC reliability and temperature capability. EBC reliability is critical because EBCs are prime reliant coatings. High EBC reliability requires a long EBC life and accurate EBC lifing. The upper use temperature of current EBCs is limited by the melting point of the silicon bond coat (1414oC). The viability of next generation CMCs with temperature capability up to 1480oC, therefore, is contingent upon the successful development of higher temperature bond coats to replace the current silicon bond coat. One logical approach for a long life EBC is to improve EBC oxidation life since oxidation is one of the most critical EBC failure modes. Oxide-based bond coats are a logical choice to replace the silicon bond coat. This presentation will discuss recent advancements at NASA to address the EBC life and temperature capability challenges.
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John F. McMahon Award Lecture Background: John F. McMahon promoted relationships between industry and academe and advanced the education of ceramic engineers and artists during his tenure as Dean of the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University from 1949 to 1965. He was alert to the relevance of research while he remained compassionate
For the 68 years that McMahon was associated with the College as a student, researcher, professor, division head, dean, curator and dean emeritus, he focused national attention on the College and heralded the importance of ceramic materials to society.
As a president of the American Ceramic Society and a founder of the Canadian Ceramic Society, Dean McMahon influenced ceramic engineering and education far beyond Alfred, New York. Honorary doctorates from Alfred University and Clemson University recognized his contributions to the field of ceramics throughout the world.
McMahon led the College to consider the vital needs of industry while maintaining a strong academic tradition of basic fundamental research and education. Long before others seriously considered ceramic materials for automobiles, John explored the idea with General Motors and saw promise of the use of ceramic materials in automobiles.
As a further tribute to one of the outstanding leaders of the New York State College of Ceramics, in 1987 Alfred University created the John F. McMahon Chair in Ceramic Engineering, to be filled by a notable ceramic engineer or scientist who exemplifies Dr. McMahon's ideals and who focuses national attention on the importance of ceramic materials and the role the New York State College of Ceramics plays in that field.
Dr. Richard M. Spriggs, Professor of Ceramic Engineering Emeritus, was appointed the first John F. McMahon Professor; Dr. James E. Shelby, Jr., held the position October 1997 - September 2008.
Biography: Kang N. Lee earned his PhD in Materials Science at University of Minnesota in 1987 and worked at a postdoctoral research associate at University of Pennsylvania until 1990. He joined NASA Glenn Research Center in 1990 and pioneered the research on Environmental Barrier Coatings (EBC) for SiC. He subsequently led the EBC R&D for SiC/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC), which resulted in the first and second generation EBCs in late 1990s – early 2000s. These EBCs laid the foundations for a series of CMC engine tests, culminating in the insertion of the first CMC component in the GE-CFM international LEAP-x engine in 2016. He moved to Rolls-Royce in 2005 to start the EBC program. Under his leadership, Rolls-Royce EBC technology was elevated from 10 years behind other engine companies to a competitive level by the time he left the Company in 2016. Since returning to NASA in 2016, he has led the next generation EBC R&D to improve the EBC life and temperature capability. He has authored 44 US patents, over 80 papers in archival journals, and 4 invited book chapters. Notable awards include 2010 Rolls-Royce Sir Henry Royce Award, 2012 Class of Rolls-Royce Fellow, 2020 NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal, and 2024 Class of American Ceramic Society Fellow.
Abstract: Next Generation Environmental Barrier Coatings for SiC/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites
Environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) have enabled the implementation of SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) in gas turbines by protecting CMCs from corrosive species. The first EBC-coated CMC component entered service in a commercial aero gas turbine in 2016. Many EBC challenges remain for continued success of CMC components in the next generation gas turbines. Major challenges include EBC reliability and temperature capability. EBC reliability is critical because EBCs are prime reliant coatings. High EBC reliability requires a long EBC life and accurate EBC lifing. The upper use temperature of current EBCs is limited by the melting point of the silicon bond coat (1414oC). The viability of next generation CMCs with temperature capability up to 1480oC, therefore, is contingent upon the successful development of higher temperature bond coats to replace the current silicon bond coat. One logical approach for a long life EBC is to improve EBC oxidation life since oxidation is one of the most critical EBC failure modes. Oxide-based bond coats are a logical choice to replace the silicon bond coat. This presentation will discuss recent advancements at NASA to address the EBC life and temperature capability challenges.
REGISTER
John F. McMahon Award Lecture Background: John F. McMahon promoted relationships between industry and academe and advanced the education of ceramic engineers and artists during his tenure as Dean of the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University from 1949 to 1965. He was alert to the relevance of research while he remained compassionate
For the 68 years that McMahon was associated with the College as a student, researcher, professor, division head, dean, curator and dean emeritus, he focused national attention on the College and heralded the importance of ceramic materials to society.
As a president of the American Ceramic Society and a founder of the Canadian Ceramic Society, Dean McMahon influenced ceramic engineering and education far beyond Alfred, New York. Honorary doctorates from Alfred University and Clemson University recognized his contributions to the field of ceramics throughout the world.
McMahon led the College to consider the vital needs of industry while maintaining a strong academic tradition of basic fundamental research and education. Long before others seriously considered ceramic materials for automobiles, John explored the idea with General Motors and saw promise of the use of ceramic materials in automobiles.
As a further tribute to one of the outstanding leaders of the New York State College of Ceramics, in 1987 Alfred University created the John F. McMahon Chair in Ceramic Engineering, to be filled by a notable ceramic engineer or scientist who exemplifies Dr. McMahon's ideals and who focuses national attention on the importance of ceramic materials and the role the New York State College of Ceramics plays in that field.
Dr. Richard M. Spriggs, Professor of Ceramic Engineering Emeritus, was appointed the first John F. McMahon Professor; Dr. James E. Shelby, Jr., held the position October 1997 - September 2008.