Anika Chitymony
ASM Meeting Extra Credit
The presentation by Jonathan Gutleber provided valuable insights into Suspension
Plasma Spray (SPS) thermal barrier coatings and their potential advantages over
Electron Beam Physical Vapor Deposition coatings. I found the discussion on the
microstructural differences between various coatings particularly interesting. Learning
about the furnace cyclic testing cycles at 1135 degrees Celsius and the fact that it could
take up to 12 hours to achieve a 100-micron coating highlighted the technical complexities
involved. In addition to that, understanding how cracks are intentionally incorporated for
strain tolerance was fascinating, as it demonstrated the balance between durability and
flexibility in these coatings. The comparison between different coating materials such as
YSZ, OM-6, OM-12, and GZO was also engaging, especially the fact that OM-12 showed
the best erosion performance, slightly surpassing the YSZ baseline.
However, some aspects of the presentation were less engaging. The discussion
on the Rapid Alloy Design platform felt somewhat abstract without clear real-world
application. The heavy use of technical jargon also made parts of the presentation
challenging to follow. A more visual or practical demonstration could have improved
understanding of these advanced material concepts.
During the event, I had the opportunity to speak with two non-ESG professionals.
One of them was Ken Trellewits, a former senior design professor who now works for a
consulting firm called Medica. Ken shared that he had attended Stony Brook University
for Engineering Science and that his children had also gone there. He had spent 40 years
in metallurgical testing because of his passion for materials and testing methodologies. I
also spoke with Mike, who works for Long Island Testing (LIT) Labs. He mentioned that
they are currently hiring metal testing positions, which was an interesting insight into
industry demand for professionals in this field and something to look into for to gain
experience in the field. Engaging with both individuals provided valuable perspectives on
how materials science and engineering are applied in professional settings beyond
college.
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