Sliding wear and solid-particle erosion resistance of a novel high-tungsten Stellite alloy

A high-tungsten Stellite alloy is developed for wear and erosion resistance application in this research, taking the advantage of tungsten in Stellite alloys. The microstructure of this alloy is analyzed using SEM/EDX and XRD. The sliding wear resistance of the alloy is evaluated on a pin-on-disc tribometer and the solid-particle erosion behavior is investigated using a micro-blasting jet machine at two particle impact velocities (84 and 98 m s−1) and two impingement angles (30° and 90°). The experimental results of the alloy are compared with those of well-known wear-resistant Stellite 3 and Stellite 6. The worn and eroded surfaces of the specimens are studied using SEM/EDX to explore the wear and erosion mechanisms of this new alloy. The experimental results show that this novel high-tungsten Stellite alloy has superior sliding wear and solid-particle erosion resistance to Stellite 3 and Stellite 6, owing to the formation of large amounts of large-size W-rich carbides in the alloy.