Process for applying a protective layer

1. A process for applying a protective layer resistant to high-temperature corrosion and high-temperature erosion to a base metal layer, the process comprising:

applying an adhesive layer composed of an MCrAlY alloy to the base metal layer;

coating the adhesive layer with an Al diffusion layer by alitizing;

subjecting the diffusion layer to an abrasive treatment, so that the outer built-up layer of the diffusion layer produced by alitizing is at least partially removed by the abrasive treatment; and

applying a ceramic heat insulation layer, consisting essentially of zirconium oxide, which is partially stabilized by yttrium oxide, to the diffusion layer, the diffusion layer including a diffusion zone proper with an Al content of about 20% and an outer built-up layer with an Al content of about 30% prepared by the alitizing, and the outer built-up layer of the diffusion layer, which is located above the diffusion zone proper, being removed by the abrasive treatment to the extent that the Al content in the surface of the remaining diffusion layer exceeds 18% and is lower than 30%.

2. A process in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the abrasively treated diffusion layer is subjected to fine smoothing.

3. A process in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the base metal layer is a hollow component comprising cooling channels, said adhesive layer being applied to an outer surface of said hollow component, said adhesive layer being coated with said Al diffusion layer simultaneously in one process step with an inner coating of said cooling channels via alitizing.

4. A process for forming a component to be subjected to high temperatures during use, the process comprising:

providing a component with a base metal layer;

applying an adhesive layer composed of an MCrAlY alloy to the base metal layer;

coating the adhesive layer with an Al diffusion layer by alitizing to provide an inner diffusion zone formed within the diffusion layer on the adhesive layer and an outer built-up layer;

subjecting the diffusion layer to an abrasive treatment, so that the outer built-up layer of the diffusion layer produced by alitizing is removed by the abrasive treatment; and

applying a ceramic heat insulation layer, consisting essentially of zirconium oxide, which is partially stabilized by yttrium oxide, to the diffusion layer to form a protective layer resistant to high-temperature corrosion and high-temperature erosion, wherein:

upon coating said adhesive layer with an Al diffusion layer by alitizing said inner diffusion zone has an Al content of about 20% and said outer built-up layer has an Al content of about 30%; and

said outer built-up layer located above said inner diffusion zone is removed by the abrasive treatment to the extent that the Al content in the surface of the remaining diffusion layer exceeds 18% and is less than 30%.

5. A process in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the abrasively treated diffusion layer is subjected to fine smoothing.

6. A process in accordance with claim 4 , wherein said component is a hollow component comprising cooling channels, said adhesive layer being applied to an outer surface of said hollow component, said adhesive layer being coated with said Al diffusion layer simultaneously in one process step with an inner coating of said cooling channels via alitizing.

7. A process for providing a heat resistant gas turbine component, the process comprising the steps of:

providing a base gas turbine component with a base metal layer;

applying an adhesive layer composed of an MCrAlY alloy to the base metal layer;

coating the adhesive layer with an Al diffusion layer by alitizing;

subjecting the diffusion layer to an abrasive treatment, so that at least a portion of the diffusion layer produced by alitizing is removed by the abrasive treatment; and

applying a ceramic heat insulation layer, comprising zirconium oxide, which is partially stabilized by yttrium oxide, to the diffusion layer to form a protective layer resistant to high-temperature corrosion and high-temperature erosion, wherein:

said step of coating the adhesive layer with an Al diffusion layer by alitizing provides an inner diffusion zone and an outer built-up layer;

said step of subjecting the diffusion layer to an abrasive treatment includes removing the outer built-up layer of the diffusion layer produced by alitizing by the abrasive treatment leaving said inner diffusion zone substantially intact; and

upon coating said adhesive layer with an Al diffusion layer by alitizing said inner diffusion zone has an Al content of about 20% and said outer built-up layer has an Al content of about 30%.

8. A process for providing a heat resistant gas turbine component, the process comprising the steps of:

providing a base gas turbine component with a base metal layer;

applying an adhesive layer composed of an MCrAlY alloy to the base metal layer;

coating the adhesive layer with an Al diffusion layer by alitizing;

subjecting the diffusion layer to an abrasive treatment, so that at least a portion of the diffusion layer produced by alitizing is removed by the abrasive treatment; and

applying a ceramic heat insulation layer, comprising zirconium oxide, which is partially stabilized by yttrium oxide, to the diffusion layer to form a protective layer resistant to high-temperature corrosion and high-temperature erosion, wherein:

said step of coating the adhesive layer with an Al diffusion layer by alitizing provides an inner diffusion zone and an outer built-up layer;

said step of subjecting the diffusion layer to an abrasive treatment includes removing the outer built-up layer of the diffusion layer produced by alitizing by the abrasive treatment leaving said inner diffusion zone substantially intact;

upon coating said adhesive layer with an Al diffusion layer by alitizing said inner diffusion zone has an Al content of about 20% and said outer built-up layer has an Al content of about 30%; and

said outer built-up layer located above said inner diffusion zone is removed by the abrasive treatment to the extent that the Al content in the surface of the remaining diffusion layer is at least 18% and is less than 30%.

9. A process for providing a heat resistant gas turbine component, the process comprising the steps of:

providing a base gas turbine component with a base metal layer;

applying an adhesive layer composed of an MCrAlY alloy to the base metal layer;

coating the adhesive layer with an Al diffusion layer by alitizing;

subjecting the diffusion layer to an abrasive treatment, so that at least a portion of the diffusion layer produced by alitizing is removed by the abrasive treatment; and

applying a ceramic heat insulation layer, comprising zirconium oxide, which is partially stabilized by yttrium oxide, to the diffusion layer to form a protective layer resistant to high-temperature corrosion and high-temperature erosion, wherein:

said step of coating the adhesive layer with an Al diffusion layer by alitizing provides an inner diffusion zone and an outer built-up layer;

said step of subjecting the diffusion layer to an abrasive treatment includes removing the outer built-up layer of the diffusion layer produced by alitizing by the abrasive treatment leaving said inner diffusion zone substantially intact;

upon coating said adhesive layer with an Al diffusion layer by alitizing said inner diffusion zone has an Al content of about 20% and said outer built-up layer has an Al content of about 30%;

said outer built-up layer located above said inner diffusion zone is removed by the abrasive treatment to the extent that the Al content in the surface of the remaining diffusion layer is at least 18% and is less than 30%; and

the abrasively treated diffusion layer is subjected to fine smoothing. ,