The influence of niobium, chromium, molybdenum and carbon on the sliding wear behavior of nickel-base hardfacing alloys

In this work we examine the microstructure and the hardness of the nickel-base hardfacing alloy and their influence on the wear resistance of a deposited layer when different alloy elements were added. Based on the results in this study, we can conclude the following: (1) niobium can reduce friction and wear loss of a deposited layer; (2) when molybdenum and carbon were added, they will combine and form a coarse precipitate that exhibits excellent wear resistance to the deposited layer against Si₃N₄ ceramic ball wear test under the dry wear condition; and (3) under oil lubrication, the wear debris accumulate and form a protective layer on the worn surface. If such a protection layer is derived from a high hardness deposited layer, it will remain on the worn surface and then reduce the wear loss.