Moisture-induced delamination video of an oxidized thermal barrier coating

 Physical vapor deposited thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) were thermally cycled to near-failure at 1150 °C. Normal failure occurred after 200–300 1 h cycles with only moderate weight gains (0.5 mg cm−2). Delamination and buckling was often delayed until well after cooldown (desktop spallation), but could be instantly induced by the application of water drops, as shown in an accompanying video-recording. Moisture therefore plays a primary role in delayed desktop TBC failure. Hydrogen embrittlement is proposed as the underlying mechanism.