Tribological behavior of Ni3Al alloy at dry friction and under sea water environment

• Ni3Al alloy has the better anti-wear properties than Ti–6Al–4V alloy at dry friction and sea water conditions.
• Ni3Al alloy in sea water circumstance has lower friction coefficient compared to that at dry friction condition.
• Sea water has lubricating, cooling, and corrosive effects on the friction pairs.

The tribological behavior of a Ni3Al alloy prepared by hot-pressed sintering was investigated at dry friction and sea water condition against AISI 52100 steel ball in ambient environment and at varying loads. The tribological results suggested that the Ni3Al alloy has the better wear resistance properties compared to Ti–6Al–4V alloy at dry friction and sea water conditions, and the Ni3Al alloy possesses the excellent wear resistance properties under sea water environment. Sea water plays a significant role in the improvement of tribological properties of the Ni3Al alloy, which has lubricating, cooling, and corrosive effects on the friction pairs.