Method for applying a thermal barrier coating

A method for conditioning a surface of a substrate prior to coating the surface, comprising the steps of:

• providing a coating chamber and a heating chamber, which heating chamber has a heat source;
• treating one or more surfaces of a substrate within the heating chamber by:
• establishing a vacuum in the heating chamber;
• heating a surface of the substrate to a predetermined temperature;
• and
• directing a stream of oxidizing gas toward the heated one or more surfaces of the substrate to form an oxide layer thereon;
• and
• coating the treated surface of the substrate in the coating chamber.

A system for forming a thermally grown oxide on a surface of at least one substrate, comprising:

• a heating chamber having a target location for locating the substrate;
• a vacuum pump connected to the heating chamber, which pump is selectively operable to establish a vacuum within the heating chamber;
• a heat source disposed within the heating chamber, which heat source is operable to radiate heat energy to the target location;
• and
• an oxidizing gas inlet disposed within the heating chamber, the inlet positioned to direct oxidizing gas toward the target location for forming an oxide layer on the surface of the substrate.