Modeling of elastic thermal stresses in two materials joined by a graded layer

The distribution of elastic thermal stresses in two dissimilar materials joined by a graded layer is a critical issue and has been analyzed previously. However, numerical methods have often been used. The difficulty in obtaining an analytical solution in existing analyses is discussed, and an exact closed-form solution is derived in the present study. To illustrate applications of the present solution, results are calculated for elastic thermal stresses in thermal barrier coatings, which consist of substrate, graded bond coat, and top coat. Different profiles of the thermomechanical properties in the bond coat are considered to examine how the graded interlayer modifies the elastic thermal stress distribution in the system. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.