Methods and compositions for inhibiting alpha case on titanium alloy surfaces

A method for inhibiting alpha case on an article, the method comprising:

• fabricating the article by additive manufacturing;
• applying a ceramic coating to a surface of the fabricated article, wherein the article comprises titanium or titanium alloy,
• wherein the ceramic coating is applied as a slurry that comprises:
• water;
• silicate;
• calcium;
• aluminum;
• iron;
• and titanium;
• while the ceramic coating is applied to the surface of the article, heating the article to a temperature of at least 800° F.;
• removing the ceramic coating after the heating, wherein the ceramic coating is entirely removed;
• and
• treating the surface of the article prior to the applying the ceramic coating, wherein treating the surface of the article includes impinging the surface of the article with abrasive blasting media,
• wherein a difference between a coefficient of thermal expansion of the ceramic coating and a coefficient of thermal expansion of the article is at most ±5 percent.