The Consortium on Thermal Spray Technology held its kick-off meeting on April 10, 2002 at the Center for Thermal Spray Research, SUNY Stony Brook, New York. The very successful meeting was a first-of-its-kind gathering in which member companies were asked to establish a research agenda focusing on the needs of the thermal spray industry. The ten charter member companies include Caterpillar, Engelhard, General Electric, H.C. Starck, OSRAM Sylvania, Praxair Surface Technologies, Saint Gobain, Sermatech Power Solutions, Siemens Westinghouse and Sulzer Metco. The Consortium will work very closely with the Center for Thermal Spray Research as well as Sandia National Labs, MIT and other institutions.

The day-long event, co-sponsored by the New York State Strategic Partnership for Industrial Resurgence as well as the University's Vice President of Research, included moderated discussions on the current understanding of ceramic coating synthesis and characterization. Presentations were given on the requirements would be needed for thermal spray coatings to achieve the status of "prime-reliant", designed-in coating solutions. The meeting was intended to be a collaborative, interactive forum. Each company presented a "wish list" of their research needs. Members identified development of process mapping and characterization tools for TBCs as an area of prime interest. Work will focus on understanding the ceramic coating microstructural changes that occur both during processing and while in-service, as well as bond-coat failure mechanisms, and means to tailor these systems to ensure longer lifetimes and improved performance.

"One of the unique aspects of this consortium is the diversity of the member's area of expertise", says consortium manager, Lysa Russo. "The group is made up of world-class suppliers, applicators and end-users, each offering their considerable thermal spray experience allowing the Consortium to establish common research goals and requirement, leading to the overall advancement of our industry".

Members of the Consortium participate in pre-competitive research problems that take advantage of the advanced methods, models and tools that have been developed by the Center and its partners. Benefits of membership include advanced access to the results of this research, guided admittance to the cutting edge research performed by the National Science Foundation's MRSEC Center, entrance into a "members only section" on the Center's website, as well as membership in the Center's Industrial Advisory Board.

The Consortium will meet on a semi-annual basis and will hold regular phone conference calls to provide updates and briefings on the status of the research project as well as to host invited guest speakers to discuss various topics of interest. The next meeting is scheduled to coincide with the Center's annual workshop in October 2002.