Finite element simulation of thermal conductivity based on microstructural images of thermal barrier coatings

Using his paper presents a method to generate the finite element grid model based on digital image processing theory and finite element mesh generation principle. The proposed method is used to model temperature distribution of thermal barrier coating (TBC) with the aid of finite element program. Take ZrO₂ TBC as an example: firstly, transfer the microstructural image of ZrO₂ TBC to digital data; then a finite element grid model according to the digital data is generated by thresholding segmentation; finally, on the basis of the established finite element grid model, the classic Fourier's equation is employed to compute the effective thermal conductivity. Further numerical simulation results show that the effective thermal conductivity in the spray direction is lower than that in the transverse direction. The effective thermal conductivity of TBC is affected by porosity and shapes of the pores significantly.