Wear characterization of new nickel-base alloys for internal combustion engine valve seat applications

Abstract With the present requirement for cost-effective high performance alloys and for strategic materials conservation, new wear-resistant alloys are needed to replace the cobalt-containing alloys currently used in internal combustion engine valve wear applications. Four cobalt-free nickel-base alloys are described in this paper, with data on hardness and resistance to adhesive wear, abrasive wear and corrosion. The results of simulated rig tests for accelerated wear are also presented. A comparison of the wear resistance of these materials and of their microstructures with the corresponding data on the standard materials, cobalt-base alloy no. 6 and nickel-base Eatonite, indicates a strong potential for the new alloys as low cost substitutes for future use in automotive engine applications.