Gas turbines have found increasing application in electric power generating plants in addition to the established applications for aircraft and marine propulsion. The success of the gas turbine in these applications has led to demands for units with increased power output but the development of engines designed to meet these demands has presented difficult technological problems.

In modern gas turbines engines, engine firing temperatures still constantly increase in order to improve the thermal efficiency of these machines. These targets are met through the use of advanced designs, materials, and coatings for hot gas path components.