Research and Technology | NASA Glenn Research Center

Biography

Dr. James L. Smialek’s innovative research has culminated in advanced aircraft engines materials and new insights regarding high temperature oxidation mechanisms. Beginning in 1968, his work has advanced the science and development of oxidation resistant, high temperature materials for aircraft engine components. He is currently a Senior Technologist in the Research and Technology Directorate and during his career served as senior scientist, team leader, mentor, graduate student advisor, section head, contract and grant monitor.

Original Contribution to Oxidation Areas

• NiAl coating phases and degradation mechanism
• Cyclic oxidation spalling models
• Fundamentals of Al₂O₃ growth and morphology
• Phase content of classic 8YSZ TBC
• Hot corrosion mechanisms of SiC and Si3N4
• Desulfurization and Al₂O₃ scale adhesion
• Al₂O₃ scale formation on Ti-Al and Ti-Al-X alloys.
• Analysis of CMAS deposits, terrestrial, and ingested sand
• TBC on low sulfur superalloys, without bond coats
• SiO₂ scale volatility in combustion gases
• Delayed spallation, moisture-induced interfacial hydrogen embrittlement

Dr. Smialek has published 129 research reports, 7 book chapters, has 14 patents and received 1400 ISI citations. He has had 30 invited presentations at topical symposia, 10 of these have been international, and 13 invited presentations at university seminars.

Education

• B.S. (1968); Case Institute of Technology, Metallurgy
• M.S. (1971), Case Institute, Metallurgy; “Transformation Temperatures of NiAl Martensite”
• Ph.D. (1981) CWRU, Materials Science; “Microstructure of Al₂O₃ Scales”

Technical Memberships/Professional Affiliation

• Associate Editor, Advanced Ceramic Materials, 1986-1988
• Associate Editor, Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 1988-present.
• International Advisory Board, Oxidation of Metals, 1988-present
• Editorial Advisory Board, Trends in Corrosion Research, 2005-present
• Executive Committee, Cleveland Chapter of TMS-AIME, 1981-1984.
• Education, Executive Committees, Cleveland Chapter of ASM, 1993-1997, 2005-present .

Individual and Collaborative Research Contributions:

• 1971-1974: Proof of martensite phase in NiAl coatings on superalloys; substrate interdiffusion as the primary mechanism of aluminum loss triggering oxidative failure.
• 1978; 2002-2004: Iterative cyclic oxidation scale growth and spalling model, publicly available MS Windows compatible version, and universal (normalized) model cyclic oxidation behavior.
• 1981-1989: In-depth TEM study of protective Al₂O₃ scales, ¹⁸O tracer grain boundary oxygen diffusion growth model, and effects of epitaxial metastable transition alumina scales.
• 1981-1983: Identification and stability studies of the ‘nontransformable’ t’ tetragonal phase in yttria stabilized zirconia, recognized as the essential thermal barrier coating phase for the next 25 years.
• 1985-1986: Demonstration that molten sodium sulfate deposits from jet fuel combustion result in hot corrosion of SiC and Si₃N₄ by dissolution of SiO₂ scales, pitting, and commensurate strength reduction.
• 1986-2001: Demonstration of adherent alumina scales produced by desulfurization, without reactive elements, (proving the sulfur effect). Desulfurization of single crystal superalloys, NiCrAl, and NiAl by hydrogen annealing to below 0.1 ppmw S, with commensurate elimination of sulfur segregation. Interfacial Al₂O₃-Ni quantum chemical approaches supporting reactive element and sulfur effects.
• 1990-1997: Demonstration that only the TiAl₃ phase produces exclusive α-Al2₂O₃ scales on Ti-Al binary alloys, and that tau-based Ti₆₇Cr₈Al₂₅ systems produce optimum oxidation behavior.
• 1992-1994: Phase content, chemistry, and corrosion potential of CMAS (calcium alumino-silicate) deposits on turbine airfoils, as related to fines in terrestrial sand.
• 1998: Demonstration of 10x TBC life improvement for desulfurized superalloys, without a bond coat, with further improvements (no oxidative failure) using ribbed substrate segments.
• 1999: Demonstration and application of volatility model showing that SiC and Si₃N₄ exhibit life-limiting material recession, due to SiO₂ scale volatility from gaseous Si(OH)₄ reaction products in flowing combustion gas, and proportional to exp(Q_Si(OH)4/RT) v^1/2P²_H2O/P^1/2_total.
• 2002-2006: Demonstration of detrimental moisture effect on scale adhesion, proposed as interfacial hydrogen embrittlement, proven by hydrogen charging and cathodic de-scaling.

Honors and Awards

• RD 100 Award, Ceramic EBC, 2002.
• NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal, 1995
• NASA “ST” Senior Scientific and Professional Corps, 2001
• Elected Fellow: (1993) American Ceramic Society; (1995) American Society of Metals.
• Elected Chairman, 1993 Gordon Conference on High Temperature Corrosion.
• Invited speaker, Gordon Conference on Corrosion, 1981, 1985, 1987, 1999.
• Invited keynote lectures: High Temperature Corrosion., (les Embiez) 2000;
  High Temperature-CMC-3, (Japan), 1998; ICMC, San Diego, 1994;
  MRS, Boston, 1994; Microscopy of Oxidation., (Cambridge), 1991.
• Tau Beta Pi, honorary engineering society, Ohio Alpha, CWRU, 1967
• Best Paper Awards, LeRC, 1987; ICMC, 1994; IGTI, 1996
• 1st Place Ceramographic Awards, American Ceramic Society, 1985, 1981, 1978

Book Chapters

Oxidation and corrosion behavior of superalloys, intermetallic compounds, and ceramics:

J. L. Smialek and G. H. Meier: Chapter 11, “High Temperature Oxidation,” in Superalloys II, C. T. Sims, N.S. Stoloff, W.C. Hagel, eds., Wiley & Sons, NY, 1987, pp. 293-326.

N.S. Jacobson, J.L. Smialek, and D.S. Fox: “High Temperature Corrosion of Engineering Ceramics,” in Corrosion of Glass, Ceramics, and Ceramic Superconductors, D.E. Clark, B.K. Zoitos, eds., Noyes Publications, 1991, pp. 514-545.

N.S. Jacobson, J.L. Smialek, and D.S. Fox: “Molten Salt Corrosion of Ceramics,” in Corrosion of Advanced Ceramics, Klaus G. Nickel, ed., Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, 1994, pp. 205-222. (NATO ASI Series, Series E., 267, 1994).

G.Welsch, J.L. Smialek, J. Doychak, J. Waldman, and N.S. Jacobson: “High Temperature Oxidation and Properties,” in Oxidation and Corrosion of Intermetallic Alloys,” G. Welsch and P.D. Desai, eds., NIAC/CINDAS, Purdue University, Layfayette, IN, 1996, pp. 121-266.

J.L. Smialek, C.A. Barrett, and J.C. Schaeffer: “Design for Oxidation,” in Design for Properties, ASM Handbook, 20, ASM, Materials Park, OH, 1997, pp. 589-602.

N.S. Jacobson, D.S. Fox, J.L. Smialek, E.J. Opila, P.F. Tortorelli, K.L. More, K.G. Nickel, T. Hirata, M. Yoshida, I. Yuri: “Corrosion Issues for Ceramics in Gas Turbines,” in Ceramic Gas Turbine Component Development and Characterization, eds. M.van Roode, M.K. Ferber, D.W. Richerson, ASME Press, New York, 2003, pp. 607-640.

Nathan S. Jacobson, Dennis S. Fox, James L. Smialek, Elizabeth J. Opila, Christopher DellaCorte and Kang N. Lee, “Performance of Ceramics in Severe Environments,” p 560-575 in ASM Handbook Volume 13B Corrosion: Materials. Edited by S.D. Cramer and B. S. Covino, Jr. ASM International, Materials Park, OH (November 2005).