Controlling Water Vapor in Gas-Cell Microscopy Experiments

Abstract

There is an increasing interest in understanding the role of water vapor on the high-temperature degradation behavior of structural materials when subjected to aggressive environments [1]. For example, thermal barrier coatings are used to protect turbine blades from high-temperature degradation and the presence of water vapor can substantially decrease lifetime [2]. Our aim here, is to develop methods and protocols for introducing and quantifying water vapor in a MEMS-based closed-cell in situ reactor system (Protochips AtmosphereTM), for studies focused on the effects of environmental exposure in high-temperature structural materials.