Microstructure and tribological properties of solution-treated Tribaloy alloy

• Solution treatment can induce Laves phase precipitates in Tribaloy alloy.
• Laves phase precipitates enhance the wear resistance of Tribaloy alloy.
• Oxidation of surface plays an important role in high-temperature wear of Tribaloy alloy.
• At high temperatures oxide debris can be embedded into the alloy surface thus increasing the hardness.

A novel Tribaloy alloy, designated as T-400C®, has been developed for enhanced high-temperature oxidation resistance. This new alloy has been used as surface coating for environmental protection. One of the popular coating techniques, slurry coating, which is applied on T-400C, includes a sintering process at the temperature of solution treatment. This article presents a study of the influence of solution treatment on the microstructure and tribological properties of T-400C. The wear test is conducted on a temperature-controlled pin-on-disc tribometer at room temperature and elevated temperatures. The SEM/EDX analysis reveals that this treatment process promotes Laves phase precipitates within the solid solution matrix of this alloy. The sliding wear test demonstrates that the Laves phase precipitates enhance the wear resistance of this alloy. At high temperatures material oxidation affects the wear behavior of this alloy significantly. The worn surfaces are analyzed using SEM/EDX to help investigate the wear mechanisms of T-400C at high temperatures.