Effect of nitriding on the corrosive wear performance of a single and double layer Stellite 6 weld cladding

This study investigates the corrosive wear behaviour of single and double layer Stellite 6 (UNS R30006) weld claddings and the effectiveness of nitriding on their erosion-corrosion resistance. Tests were conducted by utilising an impinging slurry jet. The slurry consisted of 3.5% NaCl aqueous solution which contained 500 µm spherical silica sand with a concentration of 2.4 g/l. The velocity of the jet was 18 m/s and the testing temperature ranged from 16–27°C. The erosion-corrosion tests were conducted at low angle (20°) and at normal incidence (90°). Mass losses, wear scar depths and a volumetric analysis technique were used to assess the damage in the Direct Impinged Zone (DIZ) and the Outer Area (OA) of the specimens. Electrochemical monitoring was also utilised to assess the inherent corrosion resistance of the materials. Although nitriding was found to reduce the pure corrosion resistance of the Stellite 6 weld claddings and did not appear to affect the 90° direct impingement damage, nitriding did yield benefits in terms of low angle sliding abrasion resistance.